Technology-induced job loss risk, disability and all-cause mortality in Norway

BackgroundOngoing shifts in economic structure from automation and globalisation can affect employment and mortality, yet these relations are not well described.ObjectiveWe assess whether long-term employment and health outcomes relate systematically to structural change in the labour market, using the occupational Routine Task Intensity (RTI) score as indicator of exposure is to risks of outsourcing and technology-induced job loss.MethodsUsing a cohort design and administrative data with national population coverage, we categorise all Norwegian employees in 2003 by the RTI score of their occupation and examine how this score correlates with employment and health outcomes measured in 2018 and 2019. The study sample counts 416 003 men and 376 413 women aged 33–52 in 2003.ResultsThe occupational RTI score at baseline is robustly associated with long-term employment, disability and mortality outcomes. Raw correlations are reduced after adjustment for potential confounders, but associations remain substantial in models controlling for individual covariates and in sibling comparisons. Working in an occupation with RTI score 1 SD above the mean in 2003 is associated with a raised probability of being deceased in 2019 of 0.24 percentage points (95% CI: 0.18 to 0.30) for men and 0.13 percentage points (95% CI: 0.02 to 0.24) for women, corresponding to raised mortality rates of 6.7% and 5.5%.ConclusionsIndividuals in occupations characterised by high routine intensity are less likely to remain employed in the long term, and have higher rates of disability and mortality.

Differences between cancer patients and others who use medicinal Cannabis

Background Cancer patients have been at the forefront of policy discussions leading to legalization of medical Cannabis (marijuana). Unfortunately, Cannabis use among those with cancer is poorly understood. Methods A diverse group of patients seeking certification for medical Cannabis in the state of Michigan were surveyed at the time of their presentation to medical dispensaries. The survey assessed demographics, employment/disability, pain, physical functioning, mental health, mode of Cannabis use, and frequency/amount of Cannabis use. Chi-square and t-tests were performed to compare those who did and did not endorse cancer diagnosis. Results Analysis of data from 1485 adults pursuing medical Cannabis certification, including 72 (4.8%) reporting a cancer diagnosis, indicated that those with cancer were older [mean age 53.4 years (SD = 10.5) vs. 44.7 years (SD = 13.0); p<0.001] than those without cancer. They also differed regarding employment status (p<0.001; working: 20.8% vs. 46.2%; disabled: 44.4% vs. 26.5% for those with vs. those without cancer, respectively). Those with cancer used less Cannabis (p = 0.033 for quantity used) and used Cannabis less often (p = 0.032 for frequency of use); they less frequently endorsed smoking Cannabis (80% vs 91%; p = 0.015). There was a non-significant trend to increased edible use in those with cancer (57% vs. 44%; p = 0.052). Conclusions Patients with cancer who are seeking medical Cannabis are different from those seeking medical Cannabis without cancer, and they report using Cannabis differently. Further research to characterize the patterns and consequences of Cannabis use in cancer patients is needed.

Inpatient Service Use by Type of Health Coverage Scheme in South Korea: A Secondary Analysis of National Data

Background: Healthcare utilization has progressively increased, especially among Medical Aid (MA) beneficiaries in South Korea. Recently, the focus of MA policy is shifting to long-term inpatient management. We aimed to identify the factors associated with inpatients’ medical service use among MA beneficiaries compared to National Health Insurance (NHI) beneficiaries. Methods: This secondary data analysis study used raw data collected from 2012 to 2014 by the Korea Health Panel Study, which is a national health survey conducted annually. Data from 3,869 participants were analyzed: 3,621 NHI beneficiaries and 248 MA beneficiaries. Multiple regression analysis and difference and slope difference tests were performed. Results: Age, education level, marital status, living with family, employment, disability, and unmet medical needs significantly influenced the length of hospital stay. Living with family, employment, disability, chronic illness, and unmet medical needs significantly influenced hospitalization costs. MA beneficiaries had longer hospital stay than did NHI beneficiaries (F=5.99, P=0.003); however, there was no difference in hospitalization costs. Among those with low education, longer hospital stay length was more frequent among MA beneficiaries. Conclusion: A future intervention model for MA inpatients should consider their service use patterns and characteristics. Most importantly, healthcare education should be provided according to MA patients’ education level to enable patients to make informed health-related decisions. An effort is needed to change the current hospitalization system by encouraging patients to utilize local community care service and by expanding community care and in-home healthcare services.

Introduction

This chapter provides an overview of musculoskeletal conditions, highlighting briefly the impact and the potential future burden of these conditions. Nurses and health professionals pay a key role in offering positive support to those presenting with musculoskeletal conditions. Guidance may be simply offering information that may enhance self-management, access to patient support groups, or referral to different treatment pathways based upon medical or surgical options. Nurses should be conversant with resources available. Links to a number of patient-focused websites that offer information on access employment, disability aids, and disease-specific support are provided.

Employment, disability pension and income for children with parental multiple sclerosis

Background: Little is known about the consequences of parental multiple sclerosis (MS) on offspring’s socioeconomic circumstances. Objective: To investigate employment, disability pension and income in offspring of parents with MS compared with matched reference persons in a nationwide register-based cohort study. Methods: All Danish-born persons with onset of MS during 1950–1986 were retrieved from the Danish Multiple Sclerosis Registry. Their offspring were identified using the Civil Registration System. One random offspring from each sibship was matched by sex and year of birth with eight random reference persons. Results: We included 2456 MS offspring and 19,648 reference persons. At age 30, employment was lower among MS offspring than reference children (odds ratio (OR): 0.89; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.84–0.95; p = 0.0003), and they more often received disability pension (OR: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.15–1.50; p < 0.0001) at ages 30 and 40 but not at age 50. Although the mean income was not significantly lower for the MS offspring cohort, most of them attained an annual personal income below 250,000 DKK (Danish krone), that is, ~33,650 EUR (OR: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.84–0.99; p = 0.04). Conclusion: Having had a parent with MS may affect employment and increase the risk of disability pension and low income in adult life.

Disability and Job Search Among Older Workers: A Narrative Review

This article reviews published research on the effects of disability, age and gender on the job search process. Electronic databases (Medline [via Ovid], OT Seeker, CINAHL, AMED, and Proquest 5000) were used to identify studies focusing on job search and employment, disability, age, gender and other barriers to workforce participation. There has been extensive research on the effects of age and gender on the job search process, and the available evidence indicates that disability, age and gender play significant roles in shaping the job search processes of older workers. However, there has been little rigorous investigation of the role of disability and research specifically examining the relationships between disability, job search behaviours and employment outcomes was not identified. This is a significant gap in the literature on disability and participation in the labour market. Overall, this narrative review indicates that older workers with a disability face multiple disadvantages when seeking work, which impairs their ability to fully engage in the labour market.

Trapped Between Ableism and Neoliberalism: Critical Reflections on Disability and Employment in India

<p>Despite affirmative actions such as reservations in government employment, incentives and subsidies to employers, tax exemptions to persons with disabilities, skill-development trainings etc, employment for persons with disabilities continues to be characterised by lower work-force participation, lower wages, lack of career advancement opportunities, and discrimination at the workplace.&nbsp; Simultaneously, social security benefits have been declining due to shrinking state role. With the ratification of the UNCRPD, preparation of the new disability legislation and increasing pressure from the disability rights movement in India, questions of work and employment have begun to gain attention. Using a case study approach, this article interrogates the outcomes of three employment initiatives in India. We contend that while access to employment opportunities for persons with disabilities may have increased, the&nbsp; responses remain trapped in constructs of ableism and the outcomes adversely affected by neoliberalism. The article calls for developing a more critical research agenda and building capacities for wider contestation against ableism and neoliberalism.</p> <p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <strong>Keywords: </strong>ableism, employment, disability rights, India, neoliberalism