Older Black Americans and Depressive Symptoms During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Black Americans have experienced multiple health threats during the COVID-19 pandemic, including greater risk of infection compared to Whites. In addition, older adults are more susceptible to worse disease consequences including hospitalization and mortality compared to those who are younger. Racism and economic costs are additional public health crises during this time that have disproportionately impacted Black Americans. Using data from the Uncovering COVID-19 Experiences and Realities (UnCOVER) Study, we examined depressive symptoms in relation to: (1) worry/fear of COVID-19; (2) work loss among household members (being laid off, reduced work hours); and (3) vicarious racism, a particularly salient source of psychosocial stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, including hearing about or seeing acts of racism committed against other race group members. Participants were Black Americans aged 50 years or older (n=300) from five cities (Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Orleans, and New York) from May-July 2020. Depression was assessed using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Short Form. In multivariable linear regression models, all three public health threats were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. When in the model simultaneously, worry/fear of COVID-19 (b=0.30, SE=0.12, p<0.01) and vicarious racism (b=0.62, SE=0.15, p<0.001) showed positive associations; work loss was no longer statistically significant (b=0.62, SE=0.43, p=0.15). When added, the corresponding three-way interaction term was significant (b=0.12, SE=0.04, p<0.01). Synergistic epidemics (“syndemics”) among older Black Americans amplify mental health tolls. Multi-pronged public health strategies are required to address depression in this population.

The rise of artificial intelligence – understanding the AI identity threat at the workplace

Artificial intelligence (AI) is being increasingly integrated into enterprises to foster collaboration within humanmachine teams and assist employees with work-related tasks. However, introducing AI may negatively impact employees’ identifications with their jobs as AI is expected to fundamentally change workplaces and professions, feeding into individuals’ fears of being replaced. To broaden the understanding of the AI identity threat, the findings of this study reveal three central predictors for AI identity threat in the workplace: changes to work, loss of status position, and AI identity predicting AI identity threat in the workplace. This study enriches information systems literature by extending our understanding of collaboration with AI in the workplace to drive future research in this field. Researchers and practitioners understand the implications of employees’ identity when collaborating with AI and comprehend which factors are relevant when introducing AI in the workplace.

Indirect costs attributed to headache: A nation-wide survey of an active working population

Background The economic burden of headache in European countries is substantial, mostly related to indirect work-productivity loss costs, yet data for Portugal is scarce. Methods An anonymous web-based survey of headache was distributed to a convenience sample of Portuguese companies’ workforces, to assess last-year headache and “yesterday”-point prevalence. Preexisting headaches were classified into migraine and non-migraine headache and work impact (absenteeism and presenteeism) was evaluated in relation to point prevalence. If no significant selection biases were detected, projected work-loss costs for the whole country were to be calculated. Results Eleven (17%) of 65 invited companies participated, around 15,000 active workers were exposed to the survey and 3624 (24.3%) responded, 73% females, 84.3% with previous (“last-year”) headaches, 53% with migraine. Due to participation and gender bias, national cost-projections were not calculated. Workday point-prevalence was 21% (migraine) and 9% (non-migraine headache), resulting in 14 employees with migraine losing, on average, 4 h and 32 min of work time. Presenteeism occurred in 29% of migraine and 15% of NMH employees. Yearly cost of each employee with a headache disorder was €664.88. Discussion Headache has a significant economic burden, as measured by work loss costs, in Portugal. Company-based interventions should aim to support employees’ access to headache diagnosis and treatment, including non-pharmacological coping strategies, in order to reduce headache related economic costs.

1359Changes in work and health of Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal cohort study

Background Following pandemic-related work loss, some people could return to work as restrictions eased, whilst localised lockdowns resulted in further loss of work. The long-term health effects of work loss within the pandemic remain unexplored, in addition to whether any health effects are persistent upon returning to work. Methods A prospective longitudinal cohort study of 2603 Australians monitored changes in health and work across four surveys during March-December 2020. Outcomes described psychological distress, and mental and physical health. Linear mixed regression models examined associations between changes in health and experiences of work loss, and return to work, over time. Results Losing work during the early pandemic stages was associated with long-term poorer mental health, which began to recover over time. Physical health deteriorated over time, greater for people not working at baseline. Being out of work was associated with poorer mental health, but better physical health. These effects were larger for people that had recently lost work than for people with sustained work loss, and retaining employment played a protective role. Conclusions Work cessation during the pandemic led to poor health outcomes and had long-lasting effects. Returning to work benefits mental health but may reduce physical activity in the short-term. We encourage the provision of accessible mental health supports immediately following loss of work, and for people with prolonged work loss. Key messages Remaining employed whilst not working partly ameliorates negative mental health impacts. Those experiencing persistent work loss, and the newly out-of-work, are most vulnerable to ill mental health.