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Self-Rated Health as a Predictor of Disability Retirement – The Contribution of Ill-Health and Working Conditions

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  • Olli Pietiläinen
  • Mikko Laaksonen
  • Ossi Rahkonen
  • Eero Lahelma

Abstract

Objective: Self-rated health is a generic health indicator predicting mortality, many diseases, and need for care. We examined self-rated health as a predictor of subsequent disability retirement, and ill-health and working conditions as potential explanations for the association. Methods: Self-rated health and the covariates were obtained from the Helsinki Health Study baseline mail surveys in 2000–2002 conducted among municipal employees aged 40–60 years (n = 6525). Data for disability retirement events (n = 625) along with diagnoses were linked from the Finnish Centre for Pensions, with a follow-up by the end of 2010. Hazard ratios (HR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using competing risks models. Results: Less than good self-rated health predicted disability retirement due to all causes among both women (HR = 4.60, 95% CI = 3.84–5.51) and men (HR = 3.83, 95% CI = 2.64–5.56), as well as due to musculoskeletal diseases (HR = 5.17, 95% CI = 4.02–6.66) and mental disorders (HR = 4.80, 95% CI = 3.50–6.59) among women and men pooled. Ill-health and physical working conditions partly explained the found associations, which nevertheless remained after the adjustments. Among the measures of ill-health limiting long-standing illness explained the association most in all-cause disability retirement and disability retirements due to musculoskeletal diseases, whereas common mental disorders explained the association most in disability retirements due to mental health disorders. Among working conditions physical work load and hazardous exposures at work explained the association most, although much less than ill-health. Conclusions: Self-rated health is a strong predictor of disability retirement. This can be partly explained by ill-health and working conditions. Poor self-rated health provides a useful marker for increased risk of work disability and subsequent disability retirement.

Suggested Citation

  • Olli Pietiläinen & Mikko Laaksonen & Ossi Rahkonen & Eero Lahelma, 2011. "Self-Rated Health as a Predictor of Disability Retirement – The Contribution of Ill-Health and Working Conditions," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(9), pages 1-7, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0025004
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0025004
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jylhä, Marja, 2009. "What is self-rated health and why does it predict mortality? Towards a unified conceptual model," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 69(3), pages 307-316, August.
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    1. Tea Lallukka & Rahman Shiri & Olli Pietiläinen & Johanna Kausto & Hilla Sumanen & Jaana I. Halonen & Eero Lahelma & Ossi Rahkonen & Minna Mänty & Anne Kouvonen, 2020. "Timing of Entry into Paid Employment, Adverse Physical Work Exposures and Health: The Young Helsinki Health Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-15, October.
    2. Jana Mäcken, 2019. "Work stress among older employees in Germany: Effects on health and retirement age," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(2), pages 1-13, February.
    3. Levinsky, Michal & Schiff, Miriam, 2021. "Lifetime cumulative adversity and physical health deterioration in old age: Evidence from a fourteen-year longitudinal study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 289(C).
    4. Joanna Jurewicz & Dorota Kaleta, 2020. "Correlates of Poor Self-Assessed Health Status among Socially Disadvantaged Populations in Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-18, February.
    5. Katriina Heikkilä & Ellenor Mittendorfer-Rutz & Kristina Alexanderson & Marianna Virtanen, 2021. "Work Participation among Women and Men in Sweden: A Register Study of 8.5 Million Individuals," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-11, April.
    6. Ang'u, Cohen & Muthama, Nzioka John & Mutuku, Mwanthi Alexander & M’IKiugu, Mutembei Henry, 2023. "Analysis of energy poverty in Kenya and its implications for human health," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    7. Kristin Lork & Kristina Holmgren & Jenny Hultqvist, 2021. "Does the Number of Reasons for Seeking Care and Self-Rated Health Predict Sick Leave during the Following 12 Months? A Prospective, Longitudinal Study in Swedish Primary Health Care," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-13, December.
    8. Hanna Hultin & Christina Lindholm & Jette Möller, 2012. "Is There an Association between Long-Term Sick Leave and Disability Pension and Unemployment beyond the Effect of Health Status? – A Cohort Study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(4), pages 1-7, April.

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