Epilogue - Justice in the workplace, and its impact on CHD

A new publication in the Archives of Internal Medicine (v 165, p2245, 2005) studies the impact of "Justice in the workplace" as a factor that may contribute to coronary heart disease (CHD). 6442 male British civil servants, aged 35 to 55 were studied for an average of 9 years following a baseline examination that excluded workers with initial CHD. The examination determined conventional risk factors for each employee. Using a questionnaire, the researchers determined the degree of perceived justice at work, as well as other work-related sociological and psychological factors.

The researchers found that workers experiencing a high level of justice, had a reduced CHD risk, compared to employees who had an intermediate or low level of perceived justice. The risk ratio was 0.65 (Margin of Error between 0.47 and 0.89). This factor was independent of other recognized factors (such as cholesterol, BMI, hypertension, smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity). Other psychosocial factors, such as job strain and effort-reward imbalance also impact CHD, but perceived justice remains an independent factor.

This is one more indicator that a particular type of stress (perceived justice) does impact CHD. If one feels that one will be judged justly, lower stress will result, and that decreases the risk of CHD.

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