In the first study of its kind, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared long working hours are killing people.
The global study found heart disease and stroke were the main killers of over 745,000 people in 2016. Research found that those who work over 55 hours a week have a 35% risk of a stroke, whilst heart disease sees a 17% increase. The report compares a 55 hour week to a 40 hour working week. The report concludes that people in South East Asia and the Western Pacific are most affected.
The WHO believes that the trend of long hours and ill health will worsen due to Covid 19. Evidence shows that the number of hours worked has increased by 10% with the onset of working from home. The study suggests a cap being placed on the hours people work will be beneficial to increasing productivity.
The report proves a third of all work related deaths are due to working long hours. They urge employers to take this into consideration when assessing occupational health risks.
WHO finds worrying increase in those working long hours
The study by WHO has revealed a 9% increase globally on those working long hours with many of the deaths males aged between 60 and 79. They will have worked the long hours between 45 and 74.
The study suggests two different pathways contribute to the death. The first is the effects that stress has on the body. Working long hours places long term stress on the nervous system, immune system and excessively releases the stress hormone. This puts unnecessary strain on the heart.
The second pathway is lifestyle; spending long hours sat at the computer desk, unmoving and eating foods which are convenient. Other factors such as smoking, drinking and poor sleep put unnecessary strain on the body.
Egypt, Lebanon and the Ukraine are amongst the highest estimated deaths from causes attributed to long hours. France, Rwanda and Kenya are the lowest affected with just 0.6/0.7 per 100,000.
The Director of Environment, Climate Change and Health at WHO says “its time that all governments, employees and employers wake up”. They need to realise these hours can lead to premature death.
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