FINNISH RESEARCH-PROJECT ON AGING WORKERS IN 1981-1992

The objective of this follow-up study of aging workers was to determin e changes in the work life-style, health, functional capacity, and Str ess symptoms of Finnish municipal employees from 1981 to 1992. In addi tion, factors that predict improvement or decline in the ability to wo rk were studied. With the use of this information, attempts were made to produce practical measures to decrease the work-related health risk s of elderly workers and increase factors promoting work ability. Alon g with the stress-strain model applied in the study, the reference fra me of the World Health Organization (WHO) was used. The WHO model emph asizes the interaction between work life-style, aging, and health. Wor k, life-style, health, work ability, and stress symptoms were studied through the use of comprehensive questionnaire surveys in 1981, 1985 a nd 1992. Initially, ail the subjects (N = 6257) were employed in munic ipal occupations. During the follow-up, the data were supplemented by information on disability to work and mortality. The changes in work, life-style, health, work ability, and stress symptoms were examined am ong employees who worked in the same job (N = 924) during the entire f ollow-up period.