New research at Keele University is exploring the number of years that people with musculoskeletal conditions can be healthy and in work.
The new study by the University’s healthcare experts will provide vital information for future Government policies around extending working life.
The research is co-funded by the Nuffield Foundation’s Oliver Bird Fund and Versus Arthritis.
Earlier studies into “healthy working life expectancy” have found that people aged between 50-70 with conditions such as back pain and osteoarthritis are not healthy or in work for as long as people who don’t have these conditions.
The new research programme will use data to identify opportunities for extending healthy working life.
Professor Ross Wilkie, who is leading the research, said: “This grant will allow us to further build the population level research focusing on musculoskeletal conditions and work at Keele.
“Musculoskeletal conditions, such as back pain and arthritis, along with mental health conditions are commonly associated with work loss and reduce the length of time that people are healthy and in work.
“We will build a large synthetic database, with 700,000 people in it, to identify a range of opportunities that can increase healthy working life for people with musculoskeletal conditions.
“We will also work with key stakeholders to facilitate the implementation of our findings to improve work participation.
“We are looking forward to working with the Nuffield Foundation and Versus Arthritis.”
The findings will be of high importance across a number of sectors, including for Government when reviewing whether to increase state pension age, and guiding approaches by healthcare providers, employers and employees to increase healthy working life for people with musculoskeletal conditions.
Two out of five working-aged people with arthritis say their condition impacts negatively on their working life, and one in four with arthritis report retiring earlier from work than they otherwise would have.
Previous Keele-led studies have examined the effect of these conditions on how long people could remain healthy and in work, as well as other factors which might impact such as support from employers.
