Health and Employment After Fifty (HEAF)

Aims
The Health and Employment After Fifty (HEAF) study is a prospective cohort study of adults in England aged 50 and over that aims to examine the relationship between extended working life and health and shed light on how to best to support the well-being of older workers. Main study questions focused on the impact of common health problems (especially musculoskeletal disorders) on work capability and participation; the social, occupational, personal and medical co-factors which influence vocational outcomes among older people, and the impact of job loss on physical and psychological health.

Institution
University of Southampton

Geographic coverage - Nations
England

Geographic coverage - Regions
Nationwide

Start date
2013-2014

Catalogue record last updated
30/04/2025

Sample type
Ageing cohort; Occupational cohort

Sample details
8,134 participants born between 1948 and 1962 were recruited from 24 general practices across England. General practitioners were asked to exclude patients whom they thought should not be approached (e.g. because of terminal illness or recent bereavement).

Sample size at recruitment
8,134 individuals

Sample size at most recent sweep
6,100+ (2018 - Follow Up 4)

Sex
All

Age at recruitment
50-64 years

Cohort year of birth
1948-62

Website
mrc.soton.ac.uk/heaf

Related themes
Diet and nutrition, Housing, Socioeconomic status and deprivation, Physical health assessment, Work and employment, Sleep problems, Social care - provision, Social care - need