title: Challenges to health in working life.
abstract: Hospital admissions, cancer statistics, causes of death and data from general practice consultations have been reviewed to identify the challenges to health within the working life. Morbidity resulted commonly from trauma, malignant neoplasms especially of the female breast, melanoma, colorectal and cervical tumours, locomotor disorders especially of the spine, ischaemic heart disease, obstructive respiratory disorder, gynaecological problems, psychiatric disorders, hearing impairment and diabetes mellitus. Support for basic research and studies relating to approaches aimed at influencing community attitudes are discussed. Areas of particular research possibilities in New Zealand are identified in psychiatry, cost benefit studies in surgery, and health screening. A case is made for a strong improved complementary research effort within the clinical areas of the health service both in hospitals and in general practice especially in clinical conditions such as asthma and diabetes. Seeding money for voluntary societies and foundations closely involved with research and scientific merit may facilitate further financial support to such voluntary organisations and the prospect of expansion by them of the support of peer-reviewed research projects.
authors.affiliation: Wellington School of Medicine, Wellington Hospital.
authors.forename: T V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: O'Donnell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002423:Cause of Death; D005260:Female; D006262:Health; D006302:Health Services Research; D006306:Health Surveys; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D009520:New Zealand; D012106:Research