Working-age Population Research Articles

The potential impact of international migration on prospective population ageing in Asian countries

ABSTRACT Immigration is often discussed as a means to counteract population ageing. As the number of Asian countries experiencing population ageing continues to grow, we assess the potential impact of international migration on population ageing in Asia by combining replacement migration and prospective age concept, which accounts for differences in life expectancy. Using data from the UN’s World Population Prospects 2022, we estimate the potential replacement migration required to maintain the old-age dependency ratio and the size of the working-age population in eleven Asian countries over the period 2022–2050. Our results reveal large variation across countries, with the lowest replacement migration observed in countries where population ageing is already most advanced. In most countries, replacement migration exceeds observed net migration. Since increased immigration alone is unlikely to be the sole solution to population ageing, policymakers may consider a combination of different strategies to ensure future development in ageing Asian countries.

Association Between Obesity and Alcohol Consumption in the Working-Age Population in Yugawara Town, Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Association Between Obesity and Alcohol Consumption in the Working-Age Population in Yugawara Town, Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Совершенствование организационных и лечебно-профилактических мероприятий, направленных на профилактику избыточной массой тела и ожирения.

Relevance. Obesity is a serious public health problem due to its high prevalence, increasing treatment costs and adverse effects. In this regard, the development of preventive measures aimed at preventing the formation and progression of obesity based on modern information and digital technologies seems to be an urgent and extremely important task. Research objective: development of a system for early diagnosis of overweight and obesity with the identification of predictors of their formation to prevent the progression of the pathological process and effective prevention of its occurrence. Materials and methods. To assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity, an analysis of the data of the reporting forms of federal statistical observation № 30 «Information about the medical organization» and № 12 «Information on the number of diseases registered in patients living in the service area of the medical organization» for the period 2012–2023 was carried out. To assess the economic component, we used the data from reports on the summary of expenses at the expense of budget funds, funds received from the provision of paid services. The study used the following methods: analytical, statistical, comparative analysis and content analysis. Statistical processing of materials was carried out using calculation tables in Excel format. Results. The article presents data on the relevance and prevalence of overweight and obesity in the adult group, including the workingage population. The risks of human health impairment with possible disability and mortality due to overweight and obesity are analyzed. Socioeconomic factors leading to obesity are considered. The economic consequences of this problem, as well as unresolved problems of obesity prevention are noted. Priority areas of comprehensive prevention programs are identified and prognostic models for the development of overweight and obesity are developed, taking into account the identified individual medical and social risk factors. The results of the study will allow personalizing preventive measures aimed at preventing obesity and its complications.

A Comparative Study on Depression among Working and Non-Working Women of Tura Hawakhana West Garo Hills Meghalaya

Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person’s thoughts, behavior, feelings and sense of well-being. Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses in the entire world. It can cause a person to suffer mentally and physically. This mood disorder is becoming more common among the working and non-working women. Depression is a leading cause of disability and the most common psychiatric disorder. This is a serious condition that can impact every area of women’s life. This study is done to assess the burden of depression and its risk factors among female working and non-working population. Objectives: (i) To find out the depression level of working women. (ii) To find out the depression level of Non-working women. (iii) To measure the depression among the working and non-working women of Hawakhana Tura, West Garo Hills, Meghalaya. The data were collected from working and non working women age group of below 29 years to 50 years residing in Hawakhana Tura. The data is collected by using Beck’s Depression Inventory BDI, (1996) questionnaire. A total number of 100 respondents (50 working women and 50 non-working women) were participated. It is found that the depression among working and non-working women is not significant.

Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Rural Eastern Cape, South Africa: A Study of Patients’ Characteristics in Selected Healthcare Facilities

This study investigated the characteristics and outcomes of drug-resistant tuberculosis patients in selected rural healthcare facilities in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. A retrospective review of clinical records from 456 patients, covering the period from January 2018 to December 2020, revealed a statistically significant relationship between DR-TB types and age groups (Chi-square statistic: 30.74, p-value: 0.015). Younger adults (19–35 years) and middle-aged adults (36–50 years) are more frequently affected by RR-TB and MDR-TB, which are the most prevalent forms of DR-TB. Less common types, including Pre-XDR, XDR, and INH TB, were observed in smaller numbers. The study suggests that DR-TB imposes a heavy burden on the working age population. Gender analysis shows that while the frequency of DR-TB differs between males and females, the percentage distribution of DR-TB types is relatively equal. Both genders are predominantly affected by RR-TB and MDR-TB, which together account for nearly 90% of cases. Pre-XDR, XDR, and INH-resistant TB are much less common, comprising only a small percentage of cases in both males and females. High-risk behaviors such as smoking and drinking are linked to a wider diversity of DR-TB types, while occupations like mining and prison work show higher rates of RR-TB and MDR-TB. In HIV-positive individuals, DR-TB is more common, but the distribution of DR-TB types between HIV-positive and negative groups shows no statistically significant difference. However, HIV-positive individuals have a 20% lower survival rate (65%) compared to HIV-negative patients (85%). Financial stability and comorbidities also significantly influence outcomes, with patients having stable income and fewer high-risk comorbidities experiencing better survival and treatment outcomes. The findings underscore the importance of addressing socioeconomic disparities and strengthening healthcare infrastructure to improve DR-TB treatment outcomes in rural Eastern Cape.

A qualitative study of young workers’ experience of the psychosocial work environment and how this affects their mental health

BackgroundThe evidence base for the relationship between psychosocial work factors and mental health focuses primarily on the general working population but little is known about young workers. The aim of this qualitative study is to identify psychosocial work factors that affect the mental health of young workers, with a focus on (1) novel factors of the psychosocial work environment that are relevant for young workers but have not been described in the literature and (2) experiences of psychosocial work factors associated with mental health that are specific to and typical for young workers.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were held with 36 workers aged up to 30. Participants were asked to describe work situations that affected their mental health. Factors were identified using a combination of inductive and deductive coding and open-coded factors were mapped onto the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ), which is widely used as a framework for psychosocial work factors.ResultsMost of the psychosocial factors mentioned by the young workers could be mapped onto the COPSOQ framework and were therefore similar to the general working population. Novel factors identified by this study were “Procedural support” and “Responsibility for others”. We also identified young-worker-specific experiences of psychosocial work factors associated with mental health (i.e. Quantitative Demands, Influence at Work, Commitment to the Workplace, Job Insecurity, Quality of work, Job satisfaction, and Vertical Trust). Lastly, young workers did not report the COPSOQ factor Insecurity over working conditions and Work-life conflict was reported as an indicator of mental health status rather than being perceived as a factor of the psychosocial work environment.ConclusionsPsychosocial work factors and their influence on mental health reported by young workers in this qualitative study are comparable to what is reported for the general working population. There are however some young-worker-specific experiences of psychosocial work factors and two novel factors. The novel factors, “Procedural support” and “Responsibility for others” are not found in common psychosocial work factor frameworks and might be studied specifically in relation to young workers. Our results provide organisations with levers that can be used to create a psychosocial work environment that benefits the mental health of young workers.

Diabetes and suicide: a nationwide longitudinal cohort study among the Japanese working-age population

BackgroundAlthough the mental health burden of diabetes has received substantial attention, there is limited evidence on whether the risk of suicide—a severe consequence of mental health problems—increases among individuals with...

The Demographic Characteristics of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients in Western Sudan During the Conflict of 2023-2024

Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) was a global health burden in low-income and fragile developing countries with poor health systems districted by war, such as Sudan. The purpose of this study was to look at the demographic characteristics of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, such as gender, age, material status, education, occupation, and treatment delays. Methodology: We conducted a retrospective descriptive. The study included about 533 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. The data gathering was done in August 2024. A data collection sheet was produced, and all pertinent information was acquired. Results: The results showed that 76% of 533 pulmonary tuberculosis patients were males and 24% were females, with the primary age groups being 26-35 years old (27.5%) and 18-25 years old (22%). More than 51% were from metropolitan regions, with a primary education, and 29% worked as gold miners, followed by free workers. Conclusion: PTB represents the Sudan's biggest health problem, impacted the productive and working-age population, as well as the destitute community, causing significant financial, security, and environmental issues. Direct support for the TB control program has raised community awareness regarding early detection and treatment of PTB.

Do functional and biological factors influence the handgrip strength: A systematic review

Introduction: The measurement of handgrip strength is widely accepted for assessing and evaluating hand function. Age and gender are known factors that correlate directly with the handgrip strength. This review aimed to identify whether other biological and functional factors influence adult handgrip strength and if so, which are the most important. Method: A systematic review was performed on studies that examined handgrip strength in relation to biological and functional factors including anthropometric characteristics, occupation, hand dominance and ethnicity within a working-aged population. Results: The search retrieved 19 studies which were critiqued using the McMasters Critical Appraisal Tool. This review concludes an individual’s height, hand length, hand width/palm width, forearm circumference and hand dominance along with their occupation influence handgrip strength in addition to the established categories of age and gender. It is recommended that future research examines how these factors influence handgrip strength to allow for improved interpretation of handgrip strength in comparison to normative data sets.

Associations of non-employment with common mental disorder subcomponents among working age population: analysis of national data from 1993, 2000, 2007 and 2014.

Associations between employment status and mental health are well-recognised and such associations may have multiple modifying factors which may also contribute to variations in results. We aimed to investigate associations between non-employment and CMD subcomponents and the extent of their variation across age groups using nationally representative data in Britain. We used a series of national mental health surveys of adults living in private households: the British National Surveys of Psychiatric Morbidity of 1993, 2000, 2007 and 2014. Employment status was the primary exposure of interest. Presence or absence of each fourteen symptoms of common mental disorder (CMD), as the primary outcome, was ascertained identically in all surveys from the revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R). Odds ratio for the association between exposure and outcome and population attributional fractions (PAFs) for each association was calculated. Within the highest-risk 45 to 54 years age group, all odds ratios were statistically significant and strongest associations were observed with panic symptoms (OR = 2.33), followed by depressive symptoms (1.90), worry about physical health (1.84), depression (1.82), forgetfulness (1.82) and somatic symptoms (1.70). In the 55 to 64 years age group, highest population attributable fractions were observed for non-employment as a hypothetical risk factor for panic symptoms (51.7%), phobias (44.2%), forgetfulness (39.5%), depressive symptoms (38.5%), worries about physical health (37.9%) and somatic symptoms (36.0%). The particularly high impact in middle-aged, pre-retirement groups of non-employment on CMD suggests a policy focus on alleviating stressors and providing support for those made redundant and/or compelled to take unwanted early retirement.

Evolutionary dynamics in voluntary multigames with exploiting factor and interrelated networks

It is well known that multigames with individuals participation voluntarily and interrelated networks can improve cooperation level. Based on these mechanisms, we propose exploitation factor in spatial structured population, which means players in higher network layer will exploit part of payoff from lower layer players. In this work, double and triple interrelated networks population can be divided into two types of Prisoner's dilemma game (PDG) and Snowdrift game (SDG) respectively by sucker's payoff. The results show that exploitation can promote cooperation level, especially for lower layer.

Characteristics of urinary stone composition among patients with urolithiasis: a retrospective study in China

ObjectiveTo present the most recent data on urinary calculi characteristics in the southern region of China and explore the effects of sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics on stone composition to...

Can telework help us to tip into low-carbon passenger transportation?

The pressure to mitigate climate change and to inhibit irreversible changes on the Earth’s system is large. In particular, the passenger transportation sector has to undergo a radical change to drastically reduce emissions. This study analyzes telework as an enabling condition to move passenger transportation onto a low-carbon trajectory. We used a mixed-methods approach with a qualitative expert focus group (n = 8) as a preparatory step and a consecutive national online survey focusing on the Austrian working population (n = 688), and linked our empirical results with findings from the international literature in a causal loop diagram. Our results show that the willingness to conduct telework and the level of acceptance for several incentives that support low-carbon mobility is high (personal agency). However, to translate this personal willingness into actual emission reductions, attractive framework conditions (societal agency) must be created. Therefore, telework should not be seen as an isolated area for action, as it most effectively unfolds its potential as an enabling condition when incorporated into a policy package with incentives for low-carbon mobility.

Communication Apprehension in the Workplace: The Role of Position and Facilitation Skills

Communication apprehension (CA) is widely recognized as a significant inhibitor of communication and performance, making its management crucial. This study explored the connections between gender, managerial status, communication frequency, and discussion skills in explaining CA in the Japanese working population ( N = 300). Our findings suggest that facilitation skills explain CA better than personal attributes or communication frequency and that the gender difference in CA was only observed in nonmanagers. We discuss the implications of our findings for research and education.

Stratification of Hand Bone Fractures in the Kyrgyz Republic

The study aimed to stratify hand bone fractures in the Kyrgyz Republic based on patient data, including age, gender, and other clinical characteristics. Data from patients treated in 2019 were analyzed, with assessments made using key medical parameters such as fracture type, age, gender, blood group, and other laboratory indicators. A retrospective analysis of 200 hand fracture cases was conducted, classified by various clinical and demographic criteria. Conclusions were drawn based on statistical analysis of the data. Results: Significant differences in fracture incidence were observed between males and females, as well as across different age groups. The highest incidence was found in the working-age population, indicating a need for enhanced preventive measures in this demographic.

Стратегически приоритетные регионы для комплексного развития территорий в России

Regions to participate in integrated development programs can be strategically prioritized. In this study, a review of global best practices made it possible to design a model of territorial development with its basic and strategic quantitative parameters. The model parameters included average annual working population, average gross regional product per citizen, total residential area per citizen, volume of construction activity, number of residential buildings commissioned, number of broadband Internet users per 100 population, working urban and rural residents, etc. The author applied these rating indicators to eight federal districts in order to identify first priority areas for integrated development. The article also contains some general conclusions on the territorial development in the Russian Federation.

Policing Europe: The Origins of a European Security Network, 1794–1815

Abstract The spread of revolutionary ideas reconfigured the machinery of surveillance within the Habsburg state between the Jacobin Trials of 1794 and the Congress of Vienna in 1815. The Habsburg Ministry of Police emerged from the Jacobin Trials with enlarged administrative capabilities, including a new relationship between the secret state police and the military and the increased surveillance of urban working populations. Not only that, but the period also witnessed a push to monitor subversive political activity in foreign territory, including Poland, the Ottoman Empire, the German states and Italy. This article argues that cooperation among European states in the policing of subversive political activity across borders antedated the Congress of Vienna. A focus on these critical decades questions the viability of the ‘Metternichian System’ and points instead to a growing security apparatus that Metternich sought to further internationalize after 1815.

Sex-Specific Associations Between Lifestyle Factors and Sick Leave in the Serbian Working Population: Findings from the National Health Survey.

Background/Objectives: Sick leave is influenced by various modifiable lifestyle factors and sex differences. This study investigates the associations between body mass index, fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption and sick leave among Serbia's working population, with emphasis on sex differences. Methods: Data from the 2019 National Health Survey of Serbia were analyzed, involving a sample of 4652 individuals. Chi-square tests and logistic regression models assessed the relationships between lifestyle factors and sick leave. Results: Among the participants, 15.8% reported sick leave in the past 12 months, with higher rates among women in both short-term (13.9% vs. 10.6%) and long-term (3.4% vs. 2.2%) sick leave. This study identifies obesity (OR = 2.6), poor dietary habits (fruit OR = 2.1; vegetables OR = 2.8), smoking (OR = 1.9), and risky alcohol consumption (OR = 4.1) as key predictors of sick leave in men, while smoking (OR = 1.8) and risky alcohol consumption (OR = 3.1) are major predictors in women. The inconsistent association between diet, physical activity, and sick leave may be attributed to differences in reporting accuracy, differing definitions of healthy intake, or the influence of unmeasured lifestyle factors. Conclusions: Smoking and risky alcohol consumption increase the odds of sick leave for both sexes. Interventions targeting smoking cessation and mitigating risky alcohol consumption could significantly decrease sick leave rates. While fruit and vegetable consumption, along with physical activity, showed inconsistent effects in both sexes, further studies are warranted to elucidate their roles.

Assessing the Fiscal Burden of Overweight and Obesity in Japan through Application of a Public Economic Framework.

Introduction: Obesity continues to represent a significant public health concern, with a broad impact from both a health and economic perspective. Objective: This analysis assesses the fiscal consequences of overweight and obesity (OAO) in Japan by capturing obesity-attributable lost tax revenue and increased government transfers using a government perspective. Methods: The fiscal burden of OAO was estimated using an age-specific prevalence model, which tracked the Japanese population across different body mass index (BMI) categories. The model was populated with fiscal data for Japan, including employment activity and government spending, to calculate tax revenue and transfer costs. A targeted literature review was conducted to identify data estimating the impact of OAO on employment, income, sick leave, retirement, and mortality. These modifiers were applied to Japanese epidemiological and fiscal projections to calculate government tax revenue and spending. The incremental impact of reducing OAO in the general population was subsequently calculated. Results were estimated based on the 2023 Japanese working-age population aged 18 to 70 years. Results: The total fiscal burden of OAO in Japan, defined as BMI of at least 25, is estimated at US 6.3 billion (¥901 billion) and 5.4 billion (¥769 billion), while additional pension payment spending of $0.5 billion (¥77 billion) was estimated, due to higher levels of early retirement. Conclusions: While the health implications of OAO are well documented, this fiscal analysis demonstrates the significant economic burden of OAO both to the healthcare system and broader government accounts. Policies aimed at reducing population-level obesity have the potential to benefit government accounts through increasing employment and reducing public spending, which can offset the cost of implementing these policies.

Assessing the Fiscal Burden of Overweight and Obesity in Japan through Application of a Public Economic Framework

Introduction: Obesity continues to represent a significant public health concern, with a broad impact from both a health and economic perspective. Objective: This analysis assesses the fiscal consequences of overweight and obesity (OAO) in Japan by capturing obesity-attributable lost tax revenue and increased government transfers using a government perspective. Methods: The fiscal burden of OAO was estimated using an age-specific prevalence model, which tracked the Japanese population across different body mass index (BMI) categories. The model was populated with fiscal data for Japan, including employment activity and government spending, to calculate tax revenue and transfer costs. A targeted literature review was conducted to identify data estimating the impact of OAO on employment, income, sick leave, retirement, and mortality. These modifiers were applied to Japanese epidemiological and fiscal projections to calculate government tax revenue and spending. The incremental impact of reducing OAO in the general population was subsequently calculated. Results were estimated based on the 2023 Japanese working-age population aged 18 to 70 years. Results: The total fiscal burden of OAO in Japan, defined as BMI of at least 25, is estimated at US $13.41 billion (¥1925 billion), representing 0.4% of Japan’s gross domestic product. This consists of a loss of $6.3 billion (¥901 billion) and $1.2 billion (¥179 billion) in direct and indirect tax revenue, respectively, due to lower employment and income combined with higher sick leave. Excess OAO-attributable healthcare costs were $5.4 billion (¥769 billion), while additional pension payment spending of $0.5 billion (¥77 billion) was estimated, due to higher levels of early retirement. Conclusions: While the health implications of OAO are well documented, this fiscal analysis demonstrates the significant economic burden of OAO both to the healthcare system and broader government accounts. Policies aimed at reducing population-level obesity have the potential to benefit government accounts through increasing employment and reducing public spending, which can offset the cost of implementing these policies.