Long working hours and all-cause mortality in China: A 26-year follow-up study

Huang, Yeen1; Xiang, Yingping2; Zhou, Wei2; Li, Guanpeng1; Zhao, Chengzhi1; Zhang, Di1; Fang, Shenying1,3

2023-09-01

10.5271/sjweh.4115

SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF WORK ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH   Impact Factor & Quartile

0355-3140

1795-990X

Objective The relationship between long working hours and the risk of mortality has been debated in various countries. This study aimed to investigate the association between long working hours and all-cause mortality in a large population-based cohort in China.Methods This retrospective cohort study (N=10 269) used a large, nationally representative data set [the China Health and Nutrition Surveys (CHNS)] from 1989 to 2015. Long working hours (& GE;55 hours per week) were compared to standard working hours (35-40 hours per week). The outcome measure was all-cause mortality. Hazard ratio (HR) for all-cause mortality was calculated from Cox proportional hazards regression models, with stratified analyses to assess differences in mortality risk among subgroups.Results Among the participants, 411 deaths (3.52 per 1000 person-years) occurred during a median follow-up of 11.0 (range 4.0-18.0) years. After adjusting for covariates, long working hours were associated with a significantly increased risk of all-cause mortality [HR 1.49, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.02-2.18]. Stratified analyses revealed that this association was present only among men (HR 1.78, 95% CI 1.15-2.75) and smoking participants (HR 1.57, 95% CI 1.05-2.57).Conclusion This study provides evidence of an association between long working hours and all-cause mortality, which is specifically observed among men and smokers. Targeted interventions should be implemented to reduce excessive working hours and identify individuals at elevated risk, with support from labor organizations, policymakers, and employers.

death smoking China Health and Nutrition Surveys CHNS

SCI ; SSCI

English

First ; Corresponding

Shen-zhen Science and Technology Program[81973111] ; null[JCYJ20220531091212028]

Public, Environmental & Occupational Health

Public, Environmental & Occupational Health

WOS:001065574000001

SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL WORK ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH

SOCIAL SCIENCES, GENERAL

Web of Science

1.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Sch Publ Hlth & Emergency Management, Shenzhen, Peoples R China
2.Shenzhen Prevent & Treatment Ctr Occupat Dis, Occupat Hazard Assessment Inst, Shenzhen, Peoples R China
3.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Sch Publ Hlth & Emergency Management, 1088 Xueyuan Ave, Shenzhen, Guangdong, Peoples R China

Huang, Yeen,Xiang, Yingping,Zhou, Wei,et al. Long working hours and all-cause mortality in China: A 26-year follow-up study[J]. SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF WORK ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH,2023.

Huang, Yeen.,Xiang, Yingping.,Zhou, Wei.,Li, Guanpeng.,Zhao, Chengzhi.,...&Fang, Shenying.(2023).Long working hours and all-cause mortality in China: A 26-year follow-up study.SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF WORK ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH.

Huang, Yeen,et al."Long working hours and all-cause mortality in China: A 26-year follow-up study".SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF WORK ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH (2023).