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BMC Health Services Research
Published in: BMC Health Services Research 5/2016

Open Access 01-08-2016 | Research

Workplace health promotion for older workers: a systematic literature review

Authors: Andrea Poscia, Umberto Moscato, Daniele Ignazio La Milia, Sonja Milovanovic, Jovana Stojanovic, Alice Borghini, Agnese Collamati, Walter Ricciardi, Nicola Magnavita

Published in: BMC Health Services Research | Special Issue 5/2016

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Abstract

Background

Aging of the workforce is a growing problem. As workers age, their physical, physiological and psychosocial capabilities change. Keeping older workers healthy and productive is a key goal of European labor policy and health promotion is a key to achieve this result. Previous studies about workplace health promotion (WHP) programs are usually focused on the entire workforce or to a specific topic. Within the framework of the EU-CHAFEA ProHealth65+ project, this paper aims to systematically review the literature on WHP interventions specifically targeted to older workers (OWs).

Methods

This systematic review was conducted by making a comprehensive search of MEDLINE, ISI Web of Science, SCOPUS, The Cochrane Library, CINAHL and PsychINFO databases. Search terms included ageing (and synonyms), worker (and synonyms), intervention (and synonyms), and health (and synonyms). The search was limited to papers in English or Italian published between January, 1st 2000 and May, 31st 2015. Relevant references in the selected articles were also analyzed.

Results

Of the 299 articles initially identified as relating to the topic, 18 articles met the inclusion criteria. The type, methods and outcome of interventions in the WHP programs retrieved were heterogenous, as was the definition of the age at which a worker is considered to be ‘older’. Most of the available studies had been conducted on small samples for a limited period of time.

Conclusion

Our review shows that, although this issue is of great importance, studies addressing WHP actions for OWs are few and generally of poor quality. Current evidence fails to show that WHP programs improve the work ability, productivity or job retention of older workers. In addition, there is limited evidence that WHP programs are effective in improving lifestyles and concur to maintain the health and well-being of older workers. There is a need for future WHP programs to be well-designed so that the effectiveness and cost-benefit of workplace interventions can be properly investigated.
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Metadata
Title
Workplace health promotion for older workers: a systematic literature review
Authors
Andrea Poscia
Umberto Moscato
Daniele Ignazio La Milia
Sonja Milovanovic
Jovana Stojanovic
Alice Borghini
Agnese Collamati
Walter Ricciardi
Nicola Magnavita
Publication date
01-08-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Health Services Research / Issue Special Issue 5/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6963
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-016-1518-z

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