How healthy is the Singaporean worker? Results from the Singapore national health survey 2010.

OBJECTIVE:To compare the prevalence of common medical conditions (including mental health and self-rated health) and lifestyle risk factors for disease of the Singapore workforce with the nonworking population, and evaluate the association of these factors with occupation class. METHODS:Data were obtained from a population-representative cross-sectional survey in 2010. Adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) were obtained by modified Breslow-Cox proportional hazards regression model. RESULTS:Within the workforce, after adjustment for age, sex, and ethnicity, daily smoking (PR = 1.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.40 to 2.51; P < 0.001), no regular exercise (PR = 1.13; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.20; P < 0.001), and poor self-rated health (PR = 1.46, 95% CI, 1.22 to 1.76; P < 0.001) were more prevalent in the lower-skilled occupation classes. CONCLUSIONS:Lower-skilled occupation classes in Singapore are associated with lifestyle risk factors, and tailored workplace health promotion programs addressing their specific health needs are needed.