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 aged 18 to 65, regardless of occupation or industry.

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). Monitoring of employees covered by the General Social Security System, which is also part of the COSET program, is conducted using data from the Constances study, implemented by the National Institute of Health and Medical Research.

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-RSI study: July 6 to December 31, 2017

The COSET-RSI study targets 300,000 workers enrolled in the self-employed scheme in 2016—including artisans, merchants, independent professionals, and assisting spouses—who were selected by random draw.

Participation in the study is voluntary. Individuals are invited by mail to participate 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

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