Workforce ageing an emerging challenge for Occupatinal Health and Safety and the Diagnosis and Prevention of Occupational Diseases

Life expectation is increasing in developed and industrialized countries but is still very low in developing, in-transition and underdeveloped countries. In this context, population ageing in the industrialized world has already become a fact and, according to various sources, the proportion of the ‘ageing part’ of these countries’ population will significantly increase over the coming years. This brings about relevant changes in the structure of the so-called “Age Pyramid”. The condition for developing sound actions and interventions is represented by the availability of good knowledge, based on grounded evidence. Nonetheless, this knowledge is often missing and opinions not based on the evidence, as well as prejudices, are often present; even a precise definition of “aged worker” is missing. In this paper, we will propose a definition of “aged workers”, show specific health data regarding this working category, and recommend some specific actions to be taken.