About Firea

FIREA study was established in University of Turku in 2013 with an aim to study changes in health behavioral and cardiometabolic risk markers across retirement transition by following older workers from work to full-time retirement.  In addition, the aim is to examine long-term consequences of work and retirement on health and functioning in old age.  The special focus of the FIREA study is on determinants and health consequences of 24-hour activity behavior.

The participants of the FIREA study are public sector workers who have retired on a statutory basis between 2013–2021. In the first phase of the FIREA study, participants were followed up annually, starting at 18 months before the statutory retirement date and continuing at least until 18 months post-retirement. The second phase of the FIREA study will be conducted during 2023–2024, when participants are about 70 years old. The repeated data are collected with questionnaires, accelerometers and clinical measurements. Currently the study includes about 6700 participants.

Retirement is a major life transition and is accompanied by changes in many aspects of life such as time availability, income streams and social networks, all of which may have an impact on health behaviors and health. This timely project will help to identify determinants that are associated with positive changes in health behaviors during retirement and health development after retirement. The interdisciplinary FIREA project will not only benefit the individuals, but also provide valuable information to researchers, health professionals and policy makers. This information can be used at individual and population level to promote health and functioning later in life.

FIREA study is funded by Academy of Finland, Ministry of Education and Culture, The Finnish Work Environment Fund, and Juho Vainio Foundation.