Gesundheitliche Ungleichheit bei erwerbstätigen Männern und Frauen ― Ergebnisse der GEDA-Studie 2010

Background: The study is based on representative data and gives an overview on the extent of health inequalities in working men and women in Germany. Methods: We use data of the study German Health Update (GEDA) 2010 to analyze health differences by occupational status for men and women. Occupational Status was measured using the International Socio-, Economic Index of Occupational Status' (ISEI). Outcomes are selfrated health status, work/and commuting accidents, self-assessed health risks at work, days with physical or emotional problems and sick leave from work. Results: Men and women with high occupational status are in a better health situation than those with low status in respect to all outcomes analyzed. The risk for a poor self-rated health status, high health risks at work and for the occurrence of accidents at work is significantly 2.4- to 4.6-fold (men) and 1.8- to 3.3-fold (women) increased after controlling for age and work hours. Further Analyses with regard to self-assessed health risks at work showed that occupational status differences with men and women do not differ significantly. In those analyses, about 50% of the status differences regarding risks at work could be explained for men and women by their qualification, working conditions and health behavior. Conclusions: The present findings show that significant and persistent health inequalities among the employed exist in Germany. The relationship proved equally strong in both men and women.