Sex-specific work-related burden of disease in Nordic countries

Background

This study aimed to assess an update of the work-related burden of disease, in terms of mortality, Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), economic costs due to work disability across Nordic countries, with focus on sex-specific risk profiles.

Methods

Country-level estimates of work-related deaths (injuries and diseases) and non-fatal accidents were used. We applied a comparative risk assessment methodology, consistent with frameworks used by the International Labour Organisationa and the Global Burden of Disease study. This involved synthesizing national registry data, calculating attributable fractions for major disease groups based on established occupational risk factors, and estimating DALYs, Years of Life Lost, Years Lived with Disability, and associated economic costs.

Results

In 2023, an estimated 8 in 10,000 workers in Nordic countries lost their lives from work-related diseases. Cancers and cardiovascular diseases were the leading cause of work-related deaths. Non-fatal disabilities, primarily from musculoskeletal and psychosocial conditions, constituted the largest share of DALYs and economic costs. Men had 79% of work-related deaths while women had 61% of the disability burden (DALYs), linked to musculoskeletal and psychosocial conditions. The economic impact was substantial, representing 1.5-3.5% of national GDP.

Conclusions

The effect of work on health is a major issue affecting men and women in different ways. A gender-sensitive strategy is needed to reduce diseases and disabilities at work shifting from generic approaches to targeted ones.

Key messages

• Work-related diseases and disabilities remain a major public health burden in the Nordics, with cancers, CVD, and chronic musculoskeletal and psychosocial conditions driving most DALYs.

• Men bear most work-related deaths, while women carry most disability; targeted, gender sensitive prevention is essential to reduce the 1.5–3.5% GDP economic loss.