SYDNEY—Larger pay packets and longer lunches aren't the only perks enjoyed by the boss, according to research showing managers are also less susceptible to cancer too.
A study of more than 4,200 older Australian workers has defined for the first time the medical conditions most likely to go hand-in-hand with each industry.
People employed in retail trade were more likely to develop arthritis, back pain and other musculoskeletal conditions, while those in health and community services had the highest rates of cardiovascular disease.
Hospitality workers are treated to moderately high rates of both of these disease groups as well as a high dose of endocrine conditions like diabetes and thyroid disease, the University of Sydney researchers found.
Managers and administrators were significantly less likely to suffer neoplasms, or cancerous tumours, than all other level of workers.
"Possible reasons for this include managers being less exposed to cancer risk factors or being able to afford to stop working when their health deteriorates," said lead researcher Dr Deborah Schofield, from the Northern Rivers University Department of Rural Health.
Bosses also had a moderately lower risk of developing mental health problems and musculoskeletal conditions.
The study, published in the Medical Journal of Australia, looked at which industries and occupational groups have higher numbers of older workers with chronic work-limiting health conditions.
Researchers analysed Australian Bureau of Statistics data collected from 4,228 workers aged 45 to 64, two thirds of whom had at least one medical condition.
Rates of disease were highest among women, older workers and people who were married as opposed to living in a de facto relationship.
Dr Schofield said the work made it clear the impact of chronic health problems would be felt hardest in the the retail and health and community services sectors.
These two industries accounted for a quarter of Australia's workforce in 2005, up from 20 per cent in 1990, indicating these were strong growth industries, she said.
"If the chronic conditions in growth industries are work-related, rates of disease may increase in the future as these industries continue to grow," Dr Schofield said.
She called for measures to prevent chronic health conditions among older workers and increase future labour force participation.
"Given Australia's ageing population, emerging workforce shortages, and with chronic disease affecting the majority of the workforce, measures to prevent illness may be an important strategy for increasing future labour force participation," the researchers wrote.
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