Review of health status and labour force productivity and participation data with regard to chronic disease: Literature review

Published: 2010

In 2006, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) identified the need for a new national reform agenda policy framework with reform objectives of boosting productivity and labour force participation. This literature review on health status and labour force productivity and participation data with regard to chronic disease was produced in 2008 for the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing and is made available with their permission.

Chronic diseases in scope for this review were: asthma; cancer; diabetes; heart, stroke and vascular disease; osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis; and mental health conditions. The term ‘triple jeopardy’ is used to describe the situation of those people whose socio-economic status is low, who are not in the labour force, and whose health is poor. While not all people who are affected by chronic disease are also not in the labour force and/or of low socio-economic status, there are good equity reasons for prioritising measures that address those who are at risk of this triple jeopardy. The emphasis needs to be both on getting people into the labour force, where possible; and enabling and assisting those who are in the labour force, including those with chronic diseases, to remain in the labour force and to work more productively. This literature review identifies a range of studies that inform on and contribute potential ways and means of addressing both these objectives.

Authored by PHIDU

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