Work ability—a comprehensive concept for occupational health research and prevention

The use of the work ability index began in the early 1980s in Finland. The basic scientific question was how long workers and employees are able to work and to what extent being able to work depends on the work content and job demands. In those days, job-dependent retirement ages from 53 years (deep sea divers) to 63 years (administrative jobs) were common in Finnish municipal occupations. The early-retirement options were rather broad, and the costs of work disability tended to increase. The public discussion was dominated by a fear of an increasing trend towards work disability and a shortening of work careers due to a variety of reasons, not only medical in nature. A social need for a new, positive approach…