Health of Danish seafarers and fishermen 1970-2010: What have register-based studies found?

• Published in: Scandinavian journal of public health 2014-08, Vol.42 (6), p.534-545
• Main Authors: POULSEN, THOMAS RØDGAARD, BURR, HERMANN, HANSEN, HENRIK L, JEPSEN, JØRGEN RIIS
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accidents, Occupational - mortality; Accidents, Occupational - statistics & numerical data; Adult; Aged; Analysis. Health state; Biological and medical sciences; Cancer; Denmark; Denmark - epidemiology; Epidemiology; Female; Fisheries; General aspects; Health Status; Hepatitis B virus; Hospitalization - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Miscellaneous; Morbidity; Mortality; Mortality - trends; Multiple tumors. Solid tumors. Tumors in childhood (general aspects); Mycobacterium; Occupational health; Population Surveillance - methods; Public health; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Registries; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Seafarers; Tumors; Work and Health; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1403-4948; 1651-1905
• DOI: 10.1177/1403494814534538

Background:This study aimed to review Danish register-studies on seafarers' and fishermen's health and safety. Methods Register-based or register-linked studies from 1970 until 2012 were identified and reviewed. Four categories of studies were included: mortality, hospitalization, specific diagnoses and conditions and accidents. Standardized risks estimates were typically calculated by comparison with the total Danish working population. Results: Elevated rates were found in all four categories. For mortality male seafarers had excess rates of accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, cancer, and suicides, and fishermen of accidents and cardiovascular disorders. Female seafarers in male-dominated occupations also had increased mortality rates. Elevated hospitalization rates for male seafarers were particularly prominent for endocrine/nutritiona conditions, cervical discopathy, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular diseases, cancers, hearing impairment, and injuries, and for female seafarers cancers, circulatory and genitourinary diseases and injuries. Fishermen had increased hospitalization rates for cardiovascular diseases, bronchitis, emphysema, lung cancer, gonarthrosis, thoracolumbar discopathy, rotator cuff syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, injuries and hearing impairment. Specific diagnoses and conditions: There was an eleva risk of tuberculosis, hepatitis and certain cancers for male seafarers, and of obesity and occupational accidents for both fishermen and seafarers. Conclusions: In spite of safety measures and significant structural changes in the Danish merchant and fishing fleet, the spectrum of health indicators continues to indicate considerable risk factors in the maritime environment and/or the lifestyle of seafarers and fishermen. Future monitoring of fishermen's and seafarers' health will remain essential for implementing appropriate preventive measures.