The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #71527

Paul A. Landsbergis, PhD, MPH¹, Teresa Janevic, MPH¹, Peter L. Schnall, MD, MPH², and Maritza Jauregui, PhD². (1) Department of Community and Preventive Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Box 1043, 1 Gustave E. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029-6574, 212-241-0591, paul.landsbergis@mssm.edu, (2) Center for Social Epidemiology, University of California at Irvine, Suite 525, 710 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401

Stressful features of work organization have been identified as important risk factors for hypertension and CVD. As a result, the labor/management health and safety committee of a major automaker has funded the first study of job stressors, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among U.S. autoworkers. A sample of 400 blue- and white-collar employees at an auto assembly plant and an auto parts distribution center will be surveyed and their blood pressure (BP) measured while they are working. Several different blood pressure surveillance methods will be used, including ambulatory (portable) monitors and “point” estimates, in which the employees’ blood pressure will be measured on the shop floor by study staff. The questionnaire to assess job stressors, work organization, and health conditions was developed in consultation with labor and management representatives and employees. The questionnaire includes items from standard instruments to measure psychosocial working conditions such as the Job Content Questionnaire, the Effort-Reward Imbalance questionnaire, and the NIOSH Job Stress Questionnaire, as well as job title, work history, and industry/job specific questions. In addition, the questionnaire asks about CVD symptoms, CVD risk factors, and measures of psychological distress such as anxiety, anger, and depression. The association between job stressors and workplace BP, controlling for risk factors for BP elevation, will be assessed by multiple linear regression. Practical issues of BP surveillance on the shop floor will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this presentation, the participant will be able to:
• Identify risk factors for high blood pressure in an automobile worker population
• Describe the relationship between job stressors and high blood pressure 3)Discuss practical issues in blood pressure measurement on a shop floor.

Keywords: Hypertension, Stress

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.