Work

Work can influence health in many ways, including through links both with health care insurance and with physically hazardous exposures in the workplace.  Accumulating evidence also reveals, however, that psychosocial characteristics of the work environment – such as the extent to which a worker has control over her or his work –appear to be very important as well

News and Events

  • AHIP Coverage: Creating the Conditions for Health

    July 31, 2008

    Some factors that play a major role in a population’s health transcend the system itself. A new $5 million project by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, called the Commission to Build a Healthier America, is focused on analyzing and making policy recommendations about factors outside “health care” that affect how long and how well Americans live. Read More

  • USA TODAY: CDC Campaign Hopes to Make USA Healthier Nation

    July 09, 2008

    Julie Gerberding, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, wants to get this message out to Americans: Health care isn't only what takes place in a doctor's office, a clinic or a hospital. Read More

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Perspectives

  • Stories

    Dan Gauthreaux

    It all began with a couple of fidgety staffers. Design guru Mitchell Gold was in a meeting and noticed that a few employees seemed more interested in their watches than the conversation. As the minutes ticked toward 5 p.m., the parents in the room were silently fretting that they’d be late for the daily day care pick-up. And if they were late, they’d face extra charges. Meet Dan Gauthreaux

     

    Marsha Basloe

    Marsha has spent most of her professional career in the field of education but it took decades to reach the conclusion that early childhood development—the years before elementary school—is the key to it all. Meet Marsha Basloe

     

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  • Leadership Blog

    Healthy Children: Earlier Rather than Later

    by Carole Simpson, Commissioner
    June 05, 2008

    “Better earlier than later.” How often have we heard that expression? Whether the phrase is applied to the detection of disease, applying for jobs, or taking a flight at peak travel times, early action is key. Child development experts in this country have been saying that with regards to children--aged birth to five--for the past 40 years. Read More

    An Unprecedented Reversal

    by Alice M. Rivlin, Co-Chair
    May 22, 2008

    A recent study documents an unprecedented reversal over the past few decades in Americans’ life expectancy. For the first time in nearly a century, rather than increasing, life expectancy for women declined in 180 of the nation’s 3,000-plus counties. Read More

    Timely Moment to Seek Solutions

    by David R. Williams, Ph.D., Staff Director
    April 21, 2008

    Solutions to the complex problem of improving health and reducing health disparities will not be simple, but this is a uniquely opportune time to seek them. Widespread recognition – by business, government, and the general public – that medical care costs must be brought under control creates a sense of urgency. Pervasive concerns about global economic competitiveness add to pressures not only to reduce medical care costs but to have a healthier and thus more economically productive workforce. Read More

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Resources

  • Life Expectancy: Where You Live Matters

    In Wake County, home to the state capital of Raleigh, N.C., the average life expectancy is 78.1 years. In Robeson County--just three counties away--life expectancy is 6.6 years less. But early childhood development programs in North Carolina are increasing the chances of living longer and healthier lives.

  • Overcoming Obstacles to Health

    This RWJF report to the Commission provides evidence describing the current health profile of Americans looking specifically at how income, education, and race and ethnicity play a role in Americans’ health.

    See the Report

  • Social Factors Have Effects Beyond Health

    The social conditions that cause differences in health also have profound effects in other sectors.

  • Influences on Health: Broadening the Focus

    Health is shaped by many influences, including age, sex, genetic make-up, medical care, individual behaviors and other factors not shown in this diagram. Behaviors, as well as receipt of medical care, are shaped by living and working conditions, which in turn are shaped by economic and social opportunities and resources.

More Resources