Working 55 or more hours per week is associated with an estimated 35% higher risk of a stroke and a 17% higher risk of dying from ischemic heart disease, compared to working 35-40 hours a week, according to a study from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) as reported in a news release.
The study results were published in Environment International.
In the analysis of the loss of life and health associated with working long hours, WHO and ILO estimate that in 2016, 398,000 people died from stroke and 347,000 from heart disease as a result of having worked at least 55 hours a week.
Between 2000 and 2016, the number of deaths associated with working long hours increased by 42% for heart disease and by 19% for stroke.
This work-related disease burden is particularly significant in men (72% of deaths occurred among males), people living in the Western Pacific and South-East Asia regions, and middle-aged or older workers. Most of the deaths recorded were among people who died between 60-79 years of age who had worked for 55 hours or more per week between the ages of 45 and 74 years.
Further, the WHO said, the number of people working long hours is increasing, and currently stands at 9% of the total population globally. This trend puts even more people at risk of work-related disability and early death.
