Kristin Farrants

This project aims to investigate the associations between job exposures, sickness absence (SA), disability pension (DP), and dementia risk. Despite growing evidence on workplace risks for cognitive health, few studies have examined the role of working conditions and SA/DP in dementia risk, particularly at the population level.We will examine how occupational exposures over the life course influence dementia incidence, whether SA/DP mediates or modifies these associations, and how SA/DP trajectories relate to subsequent dementia risk. We will conduct a prospective cohort study using Swedish nationwide register data, covering around 1.5 million individuals aged 62+ who exited the labour market between 2005 and 2022. Job exposure matrices (JEMs) will be used to assess working conditions across multiple domains, such as psychosocial factors, physical workload, and chemical exposures. Analyses will be stratified by sex and apply Cox proportional hazards models, mediation analysis, and group-based trajectory modeling to explore long-term associations.Our research team has extensive expertise in occupational epidemiology, work and health, and cognitive ageing. Data access is already secured, allowing for immediate implementation. Findings will offer critical insights for policies on work environment, social insurance, and dementia prevention, supporting strategies to create more sustainable working lives in ageing populations.