Prevalence and Predictors of Home Health Care Workers’ General, Physical, and Mental Health: Findings from the 2014–2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

Details

• Personal Author:
  Cho J ; Li J ; Ringel JB ; Silver, Sharon R. ; Sterling MR
• Description:
  Objectives. To determine the prevalence and predictors of US home health care workers' (HHWs') self-reported general, physical, and mental health. Methods. Using the 2014-2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, we analyzed the characteristics and health of 2987 HHWs (weighted n = 659 000) compared with 2 similar low-wage worker groups (health care aides and health care support workers, not working in the home). We conducted multivariable logistic regression to determine which characteristics predicted HHWs' health. Results. Overall, 26.6% of HHWs had fair or poor general health, 14.1% had poor physical health, and 20.9% had poor mental health; the prevalence of each outcome was significantly higher than that of the comparison groups. Among HHWs, certain factors, such as low household income, an inability to see a doctor because of cost, and a history of depression, were associated with all 3 aspects of suboptimal health. Conclusions. HHWs had worse general, physical, and mental health compared with low-wage workers not in home health. Public Health Implications. Increased attention to the health of HHWs by public health experts and policymakers is warranted. In addition, targeted interventions appropriate to their specific health needs may be required. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Behavior Environmental Exposure Health Personnel Home Care Services Mental Health Nervous System Occupational Health Public Health Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Workplace

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• Keywords:
  Exposure Levels Health Care Health Care Personnel Health Care Workers Health Effects Home Health Care Mental Health Physical Capacity Public Health Risk Factors Statistical Analysis Surveillance Work Environment Workers

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• ISSN:
  0090-0036
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  New York ; Ohio ; OSHA Region 2 ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DFSE - Division of Field Studies and Engineering
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  111
• Issue:
  12
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20064239
• Citation:
  Am J Public Health 2021 Dec; 111(12):2239-2250
• Contact Point Address:
  Madeline R. Sterling, MD, MPH, MS, Weill Cornell Medicine, 420 E 70th St, Box 331, New York, NY 10021
• Email:
  mrs9012@med.cornell.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2022
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  American Journal of Public Health
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:e4ca696ebccdef5d5108fcdf69a36f2bd198d1ba079dbfe5cc032e65f5327107fdcb789f0f0fb2e995e95361c73d6c0eafa534392f6c1f661f9682a833a6acd9
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/222740/cdc_222740_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 750.89 KB ]