(Belga) Those who work 55 hours or more a week are more likely to have a stroke or a heart problem. That is the conclusion of a worldwide study by the World Health Organization (WHO). In 2016, 745,000 people died of a stroke or heart problem after long days. That is an increase of 29 percent since 2000. The WHO expects that the upward trend will continue because of the corona crisis.
The study found that the risk of stroke is 35 percent higher for those who work 55 hours or more per week, compared to someone who works 35 to 40 hours a week. The chance of dying from a heart problem is 17 percent higher. The WHO estimates that 398,000 people died from a stroke and 347,000 from heart disease in 2016 from long working hours. Between 2000 and 2016, the number of deaths from heart disease from long working hours increased by 42 percent. The number of strokes has increased by 19 percent. It is mainly men who are affected: 72 percent of the recorded deaths were male. People who live in the Western Pacific or Southeast Asia or who are middle-aged and older are also more likely to have a stroke or heart problem. Most of the deaths recorded involved people between the ages of 60 and 79, who worked 55 hours or more per week between the ages of 45 and 74. The number of people who work long hours is increasing. Currently, 9 percent of the total global population works 55 hours or more every week. The rising trend puts even more people at risk of becoming incapacitated for work or dying prematurely. The WHO expects that the situation will only worsen due to the current corona pandemic. “The corona pandemic has radically changed the way many people work,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director general. “Teleworking has become the norm in many businesses, often blurring the lines between home and work. No job is worth the risk of stroke or heart disease. Governments, employers and employees must work together to set limits for health. of employees. ” (Belga)
The study found that the risk of stroke is 35 percent higher for those who work 55 hours or more per week, compared to someone who works 35 to 40 hours a week. The chance of dying from a heart problem is 17 percent higher. The WHO estimates that 398,000 people died from a stroke and 347,000 from heart disease in 2016 from long working hours. Between 2000 and 2016, the number of deaths from heart disease from long working hours increased by 42 percent. The number of strokes has increased by 19 percent. It is mainly men who are affected: 72 percent of the recorded deaths were male. People who live in the Western Pacific or Southeast Asia or who are middle-aged and older are also more likely to have a stroke or heart problem. Most of the deaths recorded involved people between the ages of 60 and 79, who worked 55 hours or more per week between the ages of 45 and 74. The number of people who work long hours is increasing. Currently, 9 percent of the total global population works 55 hours or more every week. The rising trend puts even more people at risk of becoming incapacitated for work or dying prematurely. The WHO expects that the situation will only worsen due to the current corona pandemic. “The corona pandemic has radically changed the way many people work,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director general. “Teleworking has become the norm in many businesses, often blurring the lines between home and work. No job is worth the risk of stroke or heart disease. Governments, employers and employees must work together to set limits for health. of employees. ” (Belga)
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