COSET-MSA: Launch of a Study on the Health of Agricultural Workers
Starting November 20, 2017, Santé publique France is launching the COSET-MSA study via an online questionnaire targeting 180,000 workers covered by the agricultural social security system. Conducted in partnership with the Mutualité sociale agricole, the study aims to monitor the health status and working conditions of current and former workers—including employees, farm operators, and assisting spouses—over a period of several years.
To improve the epidemiological surveillance of occupational risks in France, Santé publique France has established a system for monitoring work-related health in the general population: the COSET program. Following the launch of the COSET-RSI study last July among current and former self-employed workers, Santé publique France is now launching COSET-MSA, the component dedicated to workers in the agricultural sector.
What is COSET?
COSET (Cohorts for Work-Related Epidemiological Surveillance) is a major program for monitoring workers’ health. It covers the working population in France, regardless of occupation or sector of activity.
The COSET program is carried out in partnership with the Mutualité sociale agricole (MSA) to monitor workers in the agricultural sector (COSET-MSA study) and the Régime social des indépendants (RSI) to monitor self-employed workers (COSET-RSI study). Data on other workers will also be analyzed as part of this program to provide a comprehensive view of the health of the working population in France.
The objectives of the COSET program:
to monitor the health status of current and former workers throughout the year,
to observe and describe the links between occupational characteristics, working conditions, and health issues,
issue recommendations to prevent health risks.
The COSET-MSA study: launched on November 20, 2017
The COSET-MSA study targets 180,000 workers covered by the agricultural insurance scheme in 2016—as farm owners, assisting spouses, or employees—who were selected by random draw.
Participants are invited by mail to take part by completing an online questionnaire about their health, lifestyle, current working conditions and occupational exposures, and their past career history.
This study is expected to last several years, even after participants change careers or cease professional activity. The objective is to monitor participants’ health status after retirement, particularly due to occupational hazards that may have long-term effects. Initial analyses will begin in 2018, and the first results will be available starting in 2019.
More information at: www.coset.fr
