Occupational Medicine 1981;31:103-111
© 1981 Society of Occupational Medicine
research-article |
III Health Retirement as an Indicator of Morbidity*
British Steel Corporation
There is an agreed need for more epidemiological investigation in industry. Experience within the steel industry has shown that acquiring information on mortality and morbidity is expensive, and there are often reservations concerning the quality of the material. Information concerning early retirement because of ill health is complete, has a high diagnostic accuracy and is readily accessible, although, as with other data, there are confounding factors which limit its use.The diagnoses which were made in 1781 male employees who retired for health reasons over a 2-year period were examined. The position of circulatory and respiratory diseases as the main causes of early retirement confirms their relative importance as causes of morbidity in the working population, and it is suggested that a greater effort should be made to introduce intervention programmes, for which the factory provides both a suitable place and opportunity. The prevalence of spinal disorders, particularly in younger workers, is emphasized, and suggests that specific preventive measures would be particularly cost-effective. Linkage with computerized personnel records would make such statistics more valuable as an epidemiological tool.
Requests for reprints should be addressed to: Dr D. M. Fanning, Chief Medical Officer, British Steel Corporation, Head Office, PO Box 403, 33 Grosvenor Place, London SW1X 7JG.