Munir and colleagues examined the self-management of health behaviors carried out by older (aged 50-69 years) and younger workers (aged 20-49 years) with a chronic illness. Questionnaire data was collected from 759 employees with a diagnosed chronic illness. Four categories of self-managing health behaviors were examined: (a) using prescribed medication, (b) monitoring and responding to symptoms, (c) managing an appropriate diet, and (d) exercising. The majority of participants (56-97%) reported being advised to carry out health behaviors at home and at work. Controlling for confounding factors, medication use was associated with younger and older workers. Managing an appropriate diet was associated with younger workers with asthma, musculoskeletal pain, or diabetes. Exercising was associated with younger workers with asthma and with older workers with heart disease, arthritis and rheumatism, or diabetes.

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU AS A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER: The authors concluded that the findings indicate that there are differences in diet and exercise activities among younger and older workers. To increase self-management in health behaviors at work, improved communication and understanding between the different health professions and the patient/employee is required so that different tailored approaches can be effectively targeted both by age and within the context of the working environment, to those managing asthma, heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis and rheumatism.

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU AS A PATIENT: We’ve repeatedly noted the importance of tailoring self-management programs for individual patients. Fortunately, more and more educators and health care professionals are providing such programs. If you have a chronic condition, you are more apt to follow a program if it fits your individual needs. Ask your health care provider to tailor a self-management program especially for you.

F Munir et al. Self-management of health-behaviors among older and younger workers with chronic illness. Patient Education & Counseling, April 6, 2009.