Health trends among workers in Germany and the role of changing job activities and working conditions

Previous studies have found some evidence for worsening health trends in working age adults. This study aims to further investigate the time trends in self-rated health among workers and explore the potential role of changes in job activities and working conditions in explaining these trends. Data from the BIBB/BAuA Employment Surveys conducted in 2006, 2012, and 2018 were analyzed (N = 53,747, age 15+). The study variables included self-rated health as the dependent variable, and time period, age, gender, education, working hours, physical work activities, cognitive work activities, ergonomic working conditions, environmental working conditions, work intensity, work control, and work support as predictors. Logistic regression and mediation analyses were employed to study the associations between these variables and self-rated health over time periods. The findings revealed a significant deterioration in self-rated health among workers over the study period, alongside an aging and more educated workforce. Additionally, several working conditions and work activities underwent changes, with work becoming generally less physically demanding and more cognitively and psychosocially demanding. The changes in job activities and working conditions partly explained the negative trends in self-rated health, with work control and environmental conditions being most important. In conclusion, worsening trends in self-rated health among the working population were found. While changes in the world of work (especially perceived work control and hazardous environmental conditions) contribute to these trends, they constitute only part of the explanation. Further research is needed to identify further intermediary determinants driving these trends and develop targeted interventions to promote worker health and well-being.