Harvard and Stanford researchers published a report in October's issue of Health Affairs, which confirms that work-related stress is killing American workers, shaving years from their life.

"Exposure to Harmful Workplace Practices Could Account for Inequality in Life Spans Across Different Demographic Groups" investigates work-related stress, and it asserts that a stressful workplace takes a toll on the health of the American public, although the sway of workplace stress on mortality depends heavily on on education, race and gender.

Work stress can cause nearly three years of life loss, which is in addition to predetermined life expectancy disparities known to exist between non-whites and whites, men and women, etc. According to the report, Hispanics and blacks were more likely than non-Hispanic whites to lose years from their life due to workplace stress, regardless of gender or education. However, educated Latinas fare much better than educated Hispanic men.

Unfortunately, workers of color tend to fall in the category of individuals with less education, lower income and unhealthy workplace practices, who also tend to have lower life expectancies. Nonetheless, there are numerous factors that contribute to earlier deaths, including poorer financial circumstances and health.

Economics and healthcare access equips certain groups to thrive while other struggle to survive. Lower income individuals tend to live in areas that are burdened water and air pollution. Also, lower income individuals tend to engage in unhealthy behaviors, including heavy indulgence of smoking, drugs and alcohol; heavy consumption of sugary and salty foods; lower levels of recreational exercise; distrust of doctors; and insufficient access to healthcare and relevant healthcare services in early life. These individuals are also more likely to work long hours, commit themselves to hard labor, and face higher levels of job insecurity. Workplace stress is frequently coupled with precarious work environments, leaving exhausted, stressed workers vulnerable to respiratory conditions and other threats to their health.

According to the study's researchers, it's the first study of its nature to look at race and education when examining the influence of workplace stress on life expectancy. The researchers examined 18 groups of participants, dividing them by education, sex and race. Then, employment status, workplace setting and other information was considered, including work hours, job stability, health insurance and work-family conflict. With that information, they were able to gauge the impact of workplace stress on life expectancy.

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