Abstract
BackgroundDemographic trends in developed countries have prompted governmental policies aimed at extending working lives. However, working beyond the traditional retirement age may not be feasible for those with major health problems of ageing, and depending on occupational and personal circumstances, might be either good or bad for health. To address these uncertainties, we have initiated a new longitudinal study.Methods/designWe recruited some 8000 adults aged 50–64 years from 24 British general practices contributing to the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD). Participants have completed questionnaires about their work and home circumstances at baseline, and will do so regularly over follow-up, initially for a 5-year period. With their permission, we will access their primary care health records via the CPRD. The inter-relation of changes in employment (with reasons) and changes in health (e.g., major new illnesses, new treatments, mortality) will be examined.DiscussionCPRD linkage allows cost-effective frequent capture of detailed objective health data with which to examine the impact of health on work at older ages and of work on health. Findings will inform government policy and also the design of work for older people and the measures needed to support employment in later life, especially for those with health limitations.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-015-2396-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
Demographic trends in developed countries have prompted governmental policies aimed at extending working lives
Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) linkage allows cost-effective frequent capture of detailed objective health data with which to examine the impact of health on work at older ages and of work on health
In this report we describe the aims of the Health and Employment After Fifty (HEAF) study, its methods of recruitment and the participation rates at baseline, the information being collected and data sources, and our plans to date for follow-up, analysis and related field work
Summary
Demographic trends in developed countries have prompted governmental policies aimed at extending working lives. Working beyond the traditional retirement age may not be feasible for those with major health problems of ageing, and depending on occupational and personal circumstances, might be either good or bad for health. To address these uncertainties, we have initiated a new longitudinal study. The proportion of people in Western countries aged 50 years or older has steadily grown, and by 2050, it is expected that about 30 % of the European population will be aged >65 years This demographic trend generates an economic imperative for people to remain in work to older ages, especially in countries where reproduction and immigration rates are low. Planned retirement may carry tangible health benefits of its own, especially when desired and expected [10, 11], and foregoing it may sometimes
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call