title: Exploring Workforce Participation Patterns and Chronic Diseases Among Middle-Aged Australian Men and Women Over the Life Course.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study identified associations between chronic diseases (diabetes, asthma, depression, and arthritis) and workforce participation patterns with a gendered perspective.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used data from 1,261 middle-aged participants of the Australian Life Histories and Health (LHH) Survey, aged 60 to 64 years in 2011. Latent class analysis identified dominant workforce patterns and associations between chronic diseases and these patterns were explored by multinomial regression models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Diabetes, asthma, depression, and arthritis were less prevalent in men and women in class "mostly full-time work," compared with other workforce patterns. The odds of "mostly full-time work" were lower for men reporting depression or arthritis, whereas among women, depression was associated with "increasing part-time work" after adjusting early and adult life factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results strengthen the importance of gender focused policies aimed to promote and preserve health of young and middle-aged workers, and creating supportive environment for those with chronic health issues over the life course.
authors.affiliation: 1 The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.
authors.forename: Tazeen
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Majeed
authors.affiliation: 1 The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.
authors.forename: Peta M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Forder
authors.affiliation: 2 The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: Gita
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mishra
authors.affiliation: 3 Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
authors.forename: Hal
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kendig
authors.affiliation: 1 The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.
authors.forename: Julie E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Byles
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012044:Regression Analysis; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: chronic diseases; latent class analysis; middle-aged Australians; workforce participation