The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #41298

Allard E. Dembe, ScD, Center for Health Policy and Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 222 Maple Avenue, Higgins Building, Shrewsbury, MA 01545, 508-856-6162, Allard.Dembe@umassmed.edu and J. Bianca Erickson, MS, Applied Epidemiology, Inc., P.O. Box 2424, Amherst, MA 01004.

Our study utilizes data from the 1998 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY) to analyze the relationship between stressful work schedules and the incidence of occupational injuries and illnesses. We also examine the impact of stressful work schedules on a variety of social, economic, vocational, and disability outcomes. The 1998 NLSY contains extensive information about the experiences of a nationally representative sample of 8,399 individuals who were 33 to 41 years old at the time of the survey. Available information includes workers' employment history, job requirements, occupational health experiences, and numerous outcome indicators. Using these data, we categorized work schedules according to the type of shift work performed (day, evening, night, split, rotating), overtime work, extended hours per week (60+), and extended hours per day (12+). Preliminary findings indicate that occupational injury and illness incidence rates are approximately 54% higher among those exposed to overtime work, 16-21% higher for those working 45+ hours per week, and 33% higher for those working 12+ hours per day. Similar effects are seen among employees exposed to night shifts, who have incidence rates 50% higher, evening shifts 33% higher, and rotating shifts 20% higher than those working conventional day schedules. Our preliminary data also suggest that minority and low-wage workers may be disproportionately affected, with blacks (40% greater) and Hispanics (26%) more likely than whites to work a night or evening shift, and similar trends observed among low-wage (52%) and low-education (19%) workers compared to those in higher wage and income brackets.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

1.Identify the types of stressful work schedules that affect occupational injury rates. 2.Specify potential reasons for increased susceptiblity of minorities and low-wage workers to these impacts.
• Recognize the benefits of using national survey databases (like the NLSY) as a tool for assessing the effects of stress in the workplace.

Keywords: Workplace Stressors, Occupational Health

Related Web page: www.umassmed.edu/workerscomp/

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.