Mortality of a police cohort: 1950-1990

Abstract

This study presents findings from an updated retrospective cohort mortality study of male police officers from January 1, 1950 to December 31, 1990 (n = 2,593; 58,474 person‐years; 98% follow‐up). Significantly higher than expected mortality rates were found for all cause mortality (Standardized mortality ratio [SMR] = 110; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 1.04–1.17), all malignant neoplasms (SMR = 125; 95%CI = 1.10–1.41), cancer of the esophagus (SMR = 213; 95%CI = 1.01–3.91), cancer of the colon (SMR = 187; 95%CI = 1.29–2.59), cancer of the kidney (SMR = 208, 95%CI = 1.00–3.82), Hodgkin's disease (SMR = 313; 95%CI = 1.01–7.29), cirrhosis of the liver (SMR = 150; 95%CI = 1.00–2.16), and suicide (SMR = 153; 95%CI = 1.00–2.24). All accidents were significantly lower (SMR = 53; 95%CI = 0.34–0.79). Mortality by years of police service showed higher than expected rates for (1) all malignant neoplasms in the 1‐ to 9‐years‐of‐service group; (2) all causes, bladder cancer, leukemia, and arteriosclerotic heart disease in the 10 to 19‐year group; and (3) colon cancer and cirrhosis of the liver in the over 30 years of service group. Hypotheses for findings are discussed. Am. J. Ind. Med. 33:366–373, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Neurobehavioral, health, and safety consequences associated with shift work in safety-sensitive professions

“…Nearly two-fi fths (38.4%) of the officers were at high risk of having at least one of the sleep disorders: OSA, 35.1%; insomnia, 6.8%; restless legs syndrome, 0.7%; severe SWD (severe), 2.0%; and narcolepsy, 0.5% [39]. In another study of police offi cer health, all-cause mortality, particularly from malignant tumors, cirrhosis of the liver, and suicide, was signifi cantly higher in Buffalo (New York) police offi cers than in age, race, and sex-matched controls [40,41].…”

Suicide in Police Work: Exploring Potential Contributing Influences

“…Vena and colleagues ( 1986) found that Buffalo, NY, police officers had a three-fold risk of suicide compared to a control group of municipal workers ). Additionally, an updated 40-year Buffalo, NY police cohort found officers had a significantly higher risk for suicide (Standardized Mortality Ratio=156) than the general U.S. population, which includes the non-employed and institutionalized (Violanti et al 1998).…”

Retiring the Old Centurion: Life after a Career in Policing—An Exploratory Study

“…Violanti et al's [70] cohort also documented a significantly elevated risk of dying from cirrhosis of the liver. They observed that liver disease is especially threatening to retiring officers because the mortality risk increased 3.3 times for those with over 30 years of service.…”

“…A 1995 study published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics found that lung cancer deaths were more common among police (7%) than the general population (5.4%). [76] Violanti et al [77] found that 40 percent of United States police officers smoke cigarettes, and they have a significantly higher mortality risk for esophageal cancer. Woolston [78] noted that death rates from esophageal cancer were two to three times higher for police officers than for the general population.…”

“…Violanti et al [81] stated that the long-term psychological effects of the policing occupation, in combination with unhealthy lifestyle habits, increase health risks for American officers. In their longitudinal study, they found that the average age of death for a police officer is 66 years old.…”