The Health impact of workplace policies related to work/family demands: the interaction of demographic change and labor policy

Populations across the globe are experiencing demographic transitions related to aging, migration and women joining the paid labor force. In spite of these major demographic transitions, work places policies and practices have not often been responsive to such demographic changes, especially in the United States. Health may be impacted by the mounting demands experienced by many workers, especially among women in low wage occupations. Findings related to these demographic transitions are presented. In addition, recent findings from a study of low wage employees are discussed. The findings from this study indicate there may be a link between workplace organization and health especially as it relates to cardiovascular and metabolic disease risk.