Summary

Long-term heavy physical work is common in many workplaces in Sweden and may pose serious health risks. Two recent literature reviews provide an overview of Swedish and Nordic research in this area. One focuses on cardiovascular disease and deaths, while the other examines the relationship between heavy physical work, sickness absence and disability pension.

The reviews contribute to our understanding of how the work environment affects health and ability to work, and highlight the need for preventive measures to support longer and more sustainable working lives.

The findings show an association between long-term heavy physical work and an increased risk of long-term sickness absence and disability pension. The association with disability pension is particularly strong for musculoskeletal disorders, such as back, neck and shoulder pain.

The research also suggests a small to moderate increase in the risk of work-related mortality, as well as an association with cardiovascular disease, although the findings are not entirely consistent.

Authors

Mikael Forsman, Professor, Senior Researcher, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet and School of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, Royal Institute of Technology

Andreas Lundin, PhD, Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet

Jenny Selander, Associate Professor, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet

Maria Albin, Professor, MD, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet