Working for health ? evidence from systematic reviews on the effects on health and health inequalities of organisational changes to the psychosocial work environment.

摘要

Objective. To map the health effects of interventions which aim to alter the psychosocialwork environment,udwith a particular focus on differential impacts by socio-economic status, gender, ethnicity, or age.udMethods. A systematic approach was used to identify, appraise and summarise existing systematic reviewsud(umbrella review) that examined the health effects of changes to the psychosocial work environment.udElectronic databases, websites, and bibliographies, were searched from 2000–2007. Experts were alsoudcontacted. Identified reviews were critically appraised and the results summarised taking into accountudmethodological quality. The review was conducted in the UK between October 2006 and December 2007.udResults. Seven systematic reviews were identified. Changes to the psychosocial work environment wereudfound to have important and generally beneficial effects on health. Importantly, five reviews suggested thatudorganisational level psychosocial workplace interventions may have the potential to reduce health inequalitiesudamongst employees.udConclusion. Policy makers should consider organisational level changes to the psychosocial workudenvironment when seeking to improve the health of the working age population.