Mortality in the agricultural sector in Greece: evidence from life tables and working life expectancies

摘要

Background: Agricultural populations may be prone to occupational and environmental exposures that have a profound impact on their health and quality of life. However, it is often neglected that these populations are also rapidly ageing, which generally affects their well-being and overall exposure outcomes. Aims: To illustrate the impact of ageing on agricultural mortality with the use of life tables and working life expectancy using the Greek population as an example. Methods: Census data of the Greek population were used to construct abridged life tables for males and females from which the life expectancy at given age (ex) was calculated. Data for occupationally active population by age, gender and sector of employment were used to compute the working life expectancy. Withdrawal from the labour force due to death or retirement was analyzed in this manner. Population pyramids were created to account for differences in demographics between the study groups. Results: Withdrawal from the labour force of males in Greece was attributed to 16% mortality and 84% retirement reasons. In the agricultural sector this proportion was equivalent to 23% death and 77% retirement. In females the analogy was 5% mortality and 95% retirement for the general population and 8% death plus 92% retirement in the agricultural sector. The median age of the agricultural population (both sexes) was 45.1 years with the dominant age group being 50-54 years old. In the general labour force the corresponding median age was 38.3 years and the dominant age group was 30-34 years old. Conclusions: Although it appears that a larger percentage of deaths occurs in the agricultural sector, it is important to notice that specific demographic differences control the dynamics of the opposing population groups. Males and females employed in agriculture often experience stronger ageing forces additionally to other exposures, which may have a detrimental impact on their general health status and prognosis against risk factors intrinsic in their occupation.