occupational risk

The Mortality Effects of Retirement

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WSJ: What do the numbers show?

DR. FITZPATRICK: There’s a sizable, 2% increase in male mortality at age 62 in the U.S. Over the 34 years we studied, there were an additional 400 to 800 deaths per year beyond what we expected, or an additional 13,000 to 27,000 excess male deaths within 12 months of turning 62. That 2% is 2 of every 100 men in the whole male population who turn 62. We really think these deaths are concentrated among the 10% of men who retire at 62, so instead of 2 in 100, it’d be 2 in 10. So, the increase in the probability of death for men who retire could be as high as 20%. I actually think that’s a pretty big deal.

You can find the original WSJ article at this link. 

If you can’t get past the firewall or if you want to read the original study go here.

    Social Security eligibility begins at age 62.
    1/3 of Americans immediately claim benefits upon reaching this age.
    There is a discontinuous increase in male mortality at age 62 of 2%.
    This increase in mortality is closely connected to changes in labor force participation.
    Our results suggest mortality rises because men retire once Social Security is available.

 

 

 

First They Came For My White Coat – America’s War on Doctors

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Source: First They Came For My White Coat – America’s War on Doctors | American Council on Science and Health

If you decide to spend ten minutes or so to read this article please take an additional 5 minutes to read the comments section.  Keep an open mind and always remember there are two sides to every story.

Jobs With the Highest Suicide Rates

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From 2000 to 2012, the overall rates of suicide for people aged 16 and older rose 21 percent, the study found. That works out to an approximate increase from 13 to 16 suicides per every 100,000 people in the United States. But among farmers, fishers and foresters, the suicide rate was dramatically higher — at 85 suicides per 100,000 people. For males in those jobs, the rate was even greater. Their suicide rate was 90.5 suicides per 100,000, according to the report.

Source: Jobs With the Highest Suicide Rates

High Rate of Problem Drinking Reported Among Lawyers – The New York Times

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Lawyers struggle with substance abuse, particularly drinking, and with depression and anxiety more commonly than some other professionals, according to a new study conducted by the American Bar Association together with the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.

Source: High Rate of Problem Drinking Reported Among Lawyers – The New York Times

One out of three! 

 

Stroke Rounds: Long Work Hours, Stroke and CHD Risk Associated | Medpage Today

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via Stroke Rounds: Long Work Hours, Stroke and CHD Risk Associated | Medpage Today.

“Working 55 hours or more a week was associated with significant 33% increase in stroke risk and a more modest 13% increase in risk of developing coronary heart disease, compared to working 35 to 40 hours weekly, in the analysis of published and previously unpublished prospective cohort studies from the U.S., Europe, and Australia.”

One could argue for causation given the strength of association identified by this study.  Common sense tells us that anyone working more than 60 hours a week is going to have considerably less time for other activities like exercise and time with family and friends.  Long hours working also can lead to neglect of one’s health.

What Profession Has The Highest Suicide Rate?

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Physicians have the highest suicide rate of any profession.

via What I’ve learned from saving physicians from suicide.

Update 09.19.14

Suicide and the Young Physician – The Atlantic.

One might expect that older physicians, after years in an emotionally and often physically taxing profession, bear the burden of an increased suicide risk. But it is really a phenomenon of young physicians. Suicide accounts for 26 percent of deaths among physicians aged 25 to 39, as compared to 11 percent of deaths in the same age group in the general population.