Factors affecting work ability and influencing early retirement decisions of older employees: an attempt to integrate the existing approaches.

The article has several objectives. First, it aims to discuss, based on the international literature analysis, theoretical models and factors influencing early retirement decisions, and limiting work ability and employability of older people. Second, the concept of (and the factors related to) work ability as well as the role of age management in improving employability and sustaining work activity of older adults are analyzed against the backdrop of the Polish context. Cultural (ageism) and organizational (e.g., a lack of appropriate age management in companies) factors influencing work activity in the oldest age groups are taken into account. Third, the authors present some solutions and recommendations coming from the international Participation To Healthy Workplaces And inclusive Strategies in the Work Sector (PATHWAYS) project. Finally, theoretical models, concepts and solutions are integrated into a model elucidating the conditions (cultural, social, organizational, individual) influencing work ability of older adults. The model aims to take into account theories and factors identified in the literature review and grouped into several categories. The analysis highlights the role of appropriate age management in companies in the process of sustaining work ability of older employees. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2022;35(5):509-26.

Values and preferences influencing willingness to change red and processed meat consumption in response to evidence-based information: a mixed methods study.

OBJECTIVES: (1) to assess the extent to which omnivores are willing to stop or reduce their consumption of red and processed meat in response to evidence-based information regarding the possible reduction of cancer mortality and incidence achieved by dietary modification; (2) to identify sociodemographic categories associated with higher willingness to change meat consumption; (3) to understand the motives facilitating and hindering such a change. DESIGN: During an initial computer-assisted web interview, respondents were presented with scenarios containing the estimates of the absolute risk reduction in overall cancer incidence and mortality tailored to their declared level of red and processed meat consumption. Respondents were asked whether they would stop or reduce their average meat consumption based on the information provided. Their dietary choices were assessed at 6-month follow-up. Additionally, we conducted semi-structured interviews to better understand the rationale for dietary practices and the perception of health information. PARTICIPANTS: The study was conducted among students and staff of 3 universities in Krakow, Poland. RESULTS: Most of the 513 respondents were unwilling to change their consumption habits. We found gender to be a significant predictor of the willingness. Finally, we identified 4 themes reflecting key motives that determined meat consumption preferences: the importance of taste and texture, health consciousness, the habitual nature of cooking, and persistence of omnivorous habits. CONCLUSIONS: When faced with health information about the uncertain reduction in the risk of cancer mortality and incidence, the vast majority of study participants were unwilling to introduce changes in their consumption habits.

The needs of persons with chronic health conditions to maintain or return to work 30 years after transformation from socialism into capitalism - a preliminary report from the Polish part of the PATHWAYS project.

OBJECTIVES: An increased burden of chronic diseases in the working age population is observed across high income countries. Persons with chronic diseases (PwCDs) are less likely to maintain or return to work due to several constraints they experience. The purpose of the study was to assess the preferences and needs of PwCDs regarding 6 areas of flexibility at the workplace. It was assessed whether there were any personal characteristics associated with higher or lower expectations and needs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a part of a large multicenter international project, i.e., the PArticipation To Healthy Workplaces And inclusive Strategies in the Work Sector (PATHWAYS) project, aimed to contribute to the development of innovative approaches to promote professional integration and reintegration of PwCDs into the work sector. In Poland, 59 respondents diagnosed with different chronic diseases were identified through advocacy groups. An on-line survey was conducted to collect information on their needs and expectations. A cluster analysis was performed to reveal some expectation types which differentiated individuals across 6 analyzed domains, along with a multivariable logistic regression to identify some characteristics associated with a special expectation type. RESULTS: Workplace facilitator items were generally scored as needed ("rather conductive" and "very conductive" groups identified). The factors positively associated with higher needs in this domain were education, and a hindering type of the disease. Unrestricted working hours were very conductive or indifferent, and were positively associated with education. Legal solutions were more conductive for older people. Medical support, access to training, and supervisors' knowledge were needed in general, with no associations with the personal characteristics identified. CONCLUSIONS: Persons with chronic diseases report several facilitators which are needed for them to maintain or return to work, but they are not satisfied with the existing economy in Poland. These needs should be taken into consideration in the effective policy development. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2020;33(4):427-44.

Gender perspective in the analysis of the relationship between health and work cessation, and how to deal with it.

OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this study is to examine the relationship between health and an early exit from paid employment in the Finnish, Polish, and Spanish populations. The authors have addressed the following 3 issues: who chooses not to work according to gender patterns, whether the health status is a determinant of being non-employed, and what diseases are associated with being non-employed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The studied material consists of data from the Collaborative Research on Ageing in Europe (COURAGE in Europe) project. The analysis was based on a sample of 5868 individuals, including 1214 from Finland, 2152 from Poland and 2532 from Spain. In the paper, these data were complemented with the results of the PArticipation To Healthy Workplaces And inclusive Strategies in the Work Sector (PATHWAYS) project. RESULTS: The results of the study revealed that self-rated health was a strong predictor of being non-employed for different reasons. Chronic diseases, such as arthritis, angina, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depression and hypertension, were typically associated with an increased risk of being non-employed due to health problems and early retirement. Women more frequently reported arthritis and depression, while a higher proportion of men suffered from angina and diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained by the authors highlight the importance of evaluating gender patterns in work cessation and, at the same time, the importance of gender-focused actions in terms of preventing withdrawal from the labor market. In principle, all chronic diseases have some impact on participation in the labor market. It is worth noting, however, that each of them affects workforce participation in a different manner, depending on the specific disease, country and gender. For this reason, tailored support to every individual's needs is highly recommended. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2020;33(3):365-84.

Challenges for the labor market: 2 complementary approaches to premature cessation of occupational activity.

OBJECTIVES: Current demographic trends, such as society aging, the spreading of chronic diseases, as well as early retirement choices, lead to the dwindling labor market population. Taking into consideration the foregoing tendencies and their consequences, the issue of the shrinking labor force resources seems to be the most important challenge for the labor market. In response to it, this paper identifies individual and institutional causes of withdrawal from the labor market, and explores the views of Polish stakeholders on existing strategies for the occupational re-integration of persons with chronic diseases (PwCDs). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Polish results of 2 European projects: "Participation to Healthy Workplaces and Inclusive Strategies in the Work Sector" (the PATHWAYS project) and "The Collaborative Research on Aging in Europe" (COURAGE in Europe) complemented each other. The cross-sectional population data and data from stakeholders' interviews were used. RESULTS: The authors identified several causes which could encourage people to withdraw from the labor market before attaining the official retirement age at 3 different levels: individual, occupational, and institutional. Although research has shown that the macro-level situation is crucial to staying occupationally active, in Poland stakeholders have reported the lack of effective coordination in the implementation of policies for the occupational re-integration of PwCDs. CONCLUSIONS: A decision to cease work prematurely reflects a combination of many different factors, such as individual determinates, work characteristics, personal convictions, and systemic solutions. The study demonstrated that, despite the awareness of the dwindling resources of labor force, the employment-related challenges faced by PwCDs as well as people who are close to the retirement age remain unaddressed. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2019;32(5):695-721.

Difficult entry and return to the labor market: on the professional (re)integration of people with disabilities and chronic health conditions in Poland (The PATHWAYS research project)

Objectives: The objective of this study is to present the barriers existing in Poland to professional integration and reintegration of people with chronic diseases, including mental health conditions, and discuss them on the basis of expert opinions and in comparison with the situation in other European countries. Material and Methods: The research methodology was based on a mixed-methods approach, including literature review, in-depth expert interviews, and a survey (based on a structured questionnaire) performed with experts. Results: The mapping of policies, systems and services facilitating the integration and reintegration of people with chronic diseases in Poland, as well as expert opinions, made it possible to identify many barriers regarding access to support, such as an obligation to have a certificate of disability, and a system of certification by 2 institutions. There are also barriers regarding the support itself, including problems with subsidies and with professional (re)integration services. Conclusions: Poland has a multi-level and multi-sector system of public institutions, which should provide support for people with disabilities and chronic diseases. Nevertheless, the research conducted in Poland indicates an insufficient implementation of the existing solutions. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2019;32(4):475­88

Occurrence of Enterococci in Mastitic Cow's Milk and their Antimicrobial Resistance.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to evaluate the occurrence of enterococci in inflammatory secretions from mastitic bovine udders and to assess their antimicrobial resistance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 2,000 mastitic milk samples from cows were tested in 2014-2017. The isolation of enterococci was performed by precultivation in buffered peptone water, selective multiplication in a broth with sodium azide and cristal violet, and cultivation on Slanetz and Bartley agar. The identification of enterococci was carried out using Api rapid ID 32 strep kits. The antimicrobial susceptibility was evaluated using the MIC technique. RESULTS: Enterococci were isolated from 426 samples (21.3%). Enterococcus faecalis was the predominant species (360 strains), followed by E. faecium (35 isolates), and small numbers of others. The highest level of resistance was observed to lincomycin, tetracycline, quinupristin/dalfopristin (Synercid), erythromycin, kanamycin, streptomycin, chloramphenicol, and tylosin. Single strains were resistant to vancomycin and ciprofloxacin. All isolates were sensitive to daptomycin. E. faecalis presented a higher level of resistance in comparison to E. faecium, except to nitrofurantoin. CONCLUSION: The results showed frequent occurrence of enterococci in mastitic cow's milk and confirmed the high rate of their antimicrobial resistance.

Identifying the Employment Needs of People With Chronic Health Conditions in Europe.

OBJECTIVES: The main goal of this study was to compare the employment needs experienced by people with different chronic health conditions and in different welfare systems. METHODS: A total of 688 participants with six chronic health conditions were collected in nine countries representing four welfare systems in Europe (Continental, Mediterranean, Postcommunist, and Scandinavian). RESULTS: Raising awareness of what is to live with a chronic health condition in the workplace was the area perceived as more favorable. The types of employment needs were different across the social welfare systems but did not vary among the different chronic health conditions groups. CONCLUSION: Although diverse, there appear to be some common needs transversal to the working experience of people with chronic health problems. Actions to improve the employability of people with chronic health conditions should be tailored to each welfare system.

Research Project Evaluation-Learnings from the PATHWAYS Project Experience.

BACKGROUND: Every research project faces challenges regarding how to achieve its goals in a timely and effective manner. The purpose of this paper is to present a project evaluation methodology gathered during the implementation of the Participation to Healthy Workplaces and Inclusive Strategies in the Work Sector (the EU PATHWAYS Project). The PATHWAYS project involved multiple countries and multi-cultural aspects of re/integrating chronically ill patients into labor markets in different countries. This paper describes key project's evaluation issues including: (1) purposes, (2) advisability, (3) tools, (4) implementation, and (5) possible benefits and presents the advantages of a continuous monitoring. METHODS: Project evaluation tool to assess structure and resources, process, management and communication, achievements, and outcomes. The project used a mixed evaluation approach and included Strengths (S), Weaknesses (W), Opportunities (O), and Threats (SWOT) analysis. RESULTS: A methodology for longitudinal EU projects' evaluation is described. The evaluation process allowed to highlight strengths and weaknesses and highlighted good coordination and communication between project partners as well as some key issues such as: the need for a shared glossary covering areas investigated by the project, problematic issues related to the involvement of stakeholders from outside the project, and issues with timing. Numerical SWOT analysis showed improvement in project performance over time. The proportion of participating project partners in the evaluation varied from 100% to 83.3%. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for the implementation of a structured evaluation process in multidisciplinary projects involving different stakeholders in diverse socio-environmental and political conditions. Based on the PATHWAYS experience, a clear monitoring methodology is suggested as essential in every multidisciplinary research projects.