@article {8956, title = {Baby boomers in the United States: Factors associated with working longer and delaying retirement.}, journal = {American Journal of Industrial Medicine}, volume = {60}, year = {2017}, month = {2017 Apr}, pages = {315-328}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: This study estimated the self-reported probability of working full-time past age 62 (P62) or age 65 (P65) among four cohorts of Americans born between 1931 and 1959.

METHODS: Data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) were analyzed. Respondents in four age cohorts were selected for comparison. Multivariable linear regression models were used to assess cohort differences in P62 and P65 while adjusting for covariates.

RESULTS: P62 and P65 increased among boomers despite worsened self-rated health compared to the two preceding cohorts, with 37\% and 80\% increases among mid-boomers in construction trades. Cohort differences in P62 and P65 remained after controlling for covariates. Changes in pensions, income inequity, and education were significantly associated with work expectations, but SSA policy was not.

CONCLUSIONS: Baby boomers expect to work longer than their predecessors. Efforts to improve work quality and availability for older workers are urgently needed, particularly in physically demanding occupations. Am. J. Ind. Med. 60:315-328, 2017. {\textcopyright} 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

}, keywords = {Baby Boomers, Delaying retirement, Health Conditions and Status, Older Adults, Retirement Planning and Satisfaction}, issn = {1097-0274}, doi = {10.1002/ajim.22694}, author = {Xiuwen S Dong and Wang, Xuanwen and Ringen, Knut and Sokas, Rosemary} } @article {8587, title = {Respiratory Cancer and Non-Malignant Respiratory Disease-Related Mortality among Older Construction Workers-Findings from the Health and Retirement Study.}, journal = {Occup Med Health Aff}, volume = {4}, year = {2016}, month = {2016}, pages = {235}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVE: This study explored the risk of respiratory cancer and non-malignant respiratory disease (NMRD)-related mortality among older construction workers.

METHODS: Analyzed data from the 1992-2010 RAND Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and the HRS National Death Index - Cause of Death file. About 25,183 workers aged 50 years and older were examined, including 5,447 decedents and 19,736 survivors, of which 1,460 reported their longest job was in construction. Multinomial logistic regression assessed the differences in mortality between workers{\textquoteright} longest occupations, controlling for confounders.

RESULTS: After adjusting for smoking and demographics, construction workers were almost twice as likely to die from respiratory cancer (OR = 1.65; CI: 1.10-2.47) or NMRD (OR = 1.73; CI: 1.16-2.58) compared to white-collar workers.

CONCLUSIONS: This study adds to the growing evidence that respiratory cancer and NMRD are frequently associated with construction exposure.

}, issn = {2329-6879}, doi = {10.4172/2329-6879.1000235}, url = {https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4975376/}, author = {Wang, Xuanwen and Xiuwen S Dong and Welch, Laura and Largay, Julie} } @article {7738, title = {Chronic back pain among older construction workers in the United States: a longitudinal study.}, journal = {Int J Occup Environ Health}, volume = {18}, year = {2012}, month = {2012 Apr-Jun}, pages = {99-109}, publisher = {18}, abstract = {

This study assessed chronic back pain among older construction workers in the United States by analyzing data from the 1992-2008 Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a large-scale longitudinal survey. Fixed-effects methods were applied in the multiple logistic regression model to explore the association between back pain and time-varying factors (e.g., employment, job characteristics, general health status) while controlling for stable variables (e.g., gender, race, ethnicity). Results showed that about 40\% of older construction workers over the age of 50 suffered from persistent back pain or problems. Jobs involving a great deal of stress or physical effort significantly increased the risk of back disorders and longest-held jobs in construction increased the odds of back disorders by 32\% (95\% CI: 1{\textperiodcentered}04-1{\textperiodcentered}67). Furthermore, poor physical and mental health were strongly correlated with back problems. Enhanced interventions for construction workers are urgently needed given the aging workforce and high prevalence of back disorders in this industry.

}, keywords = {Back Pain, Employment, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Occupational Diseases, Occupations, United States}, issn = {2049-3967}, doi = {10.1179/1077352512Z.0000000004}, author = {Xiuwen S Dong and Wang, Xuanwen and Fujimoto, Alissa and Dobbin, Ronald} } @article {7548, title = {Chronic diseases and functional limitations among older construction workers in the United States: a 10-year follow-up study.}, journal = {J Occup Environ Med}, volume = {53}, year = {2011}, month = {2011 Apr}, pages = {372-80}, publisher = {53}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: To examine the health status of older construction workers in the United States, and how occupation and the aging process affect health in workers{\textquoteright} later years.

METHODS: We analyzed six waves (1998 to 2008) of the Health and Retirement Study, a longitudinal survey of US residents age 50+. The study sample totaled 7200 male workers (510 in construction trades) in the baseline. Multiple logistic regression and paired t tests were conducted to compare health outcomes across occupations and within individuals over time.

RESULTS: Compared with white-collar workers, construction workers had increased odds of arthritis, back problems, chronic lung disease, functional limitations, work disability, and work-related injuries after controlling for possible confounders.

CONCLUSIONS: Safety and health interventions, as well as retirement and pension policy, should meet the needs of older construction workers, who face increasingly chronic health conditions over time.

}, keywords = {Aged, Aging, Arthritis, Chronic disease, Disabled Persons, Facility Design and Construction, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Lung Diseases, Male, Middle Aged, Occupational Diseases, Occupations, United States}, issn = {1536-5948}, doi = {10.1097/JOM.0b013e3182122286}, author = {Xiuwen S Dong and Wang, Xuanwen and Daw, Christina and Ringen, Knut} }