Understanding health inequalities in low position occupations and co-created strategies to address these
Supervisors:
Dr Evangelia Demou, School of Health and Wellbeing
Dr Gemma Ryde, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health
Dr Frederick Ho, School of Health and Wellbeing
Summary:
Health inequalities across occupational groups remain a persistent and under-addressed challenge. Individuals in lower occupational positions, such as cleaners and manufacturing workers, experience significantly higher rates of morbidity and mortality compared to those in higher occupational roles. Conditions such as depression, diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders, and cardiovascular disease are disproportionately prevalent, yet workplace health promotion initiatives are less accessible to these groups due to structural barriers, demanding work, and limited job autonomy. As a result, current approaches risk reinforcing, rather than reducing, health disparities.
This PhD will investigate occupational health inequalities with the aim of identifying high-risk job types, assessing modifiable risk factors, and developing effective interventions. Study 1 will utilise large UK datasets to quantify morbidity risks by job type and evaluate the potential moderating role of behavioural factors such as sleep and physical activity. Study 2 will involve co-creation of workplace health interventions with employees in at-risk occupations, drawing on mixed-methods approaches and implementation frameworks to ensure contextual relevance and acceptability. Study 3 will assess a proof-of-concept study of these co-created interventions. This research seeks to generate robust evidence and practical solutions to reduce health inequalities in the workplace.