Your occupation may shed light on how you'll die


Recommended Posts

What a person does for a living could play in role in how they die, according to new research.

After analyzing 1.6 million deaths over a decade, British scientists found that painters, bricklayers and roofers had about twice the average rate of death from drug abuse, while merchant seamen, cooks and bar staff had a higher risk of alcohol-related deaths.

And dressmakers and hairdressers had nine times the average risk of death from HIV/AIDS.

"This study demonstrates that there are major differences between occupational groups in their risk of death from drug and alcohol-related diseases," said Dr David Coggon, of the Medical Research Council in Southampton, England, who headed the research team.

Although the diseases linked to certain types of death are unlikely to be a direct consequence of work, Coggon said the study published in the journal Occupational Medicine could open up new methods of prevention.

"The findings are important because they indicate opportunities for targeted interventions to prevent illness and promote health," he added. "The workplace is an ideal environment to pick up on drug and alcohol problems and to put in policies to improve safety and productivity and to help workers."

The researchers analyzed all deaths among men and women aged 16-74 years in England and Wales during 1991-2000. They found merchant seamen had a high risk for death from cirrhosis and other alcohol related illnesses such as cancer of the liver and oral cavity and from accidents like falling down stairs.

Higher than average risk of death from HIV/AIDS was found among male tailors and dressmakers and male hairdressers, while accidental poisoning by drug was high among male painters, decorators, bricklayers, plasterers and roofers.

"Although it may not be so obvious, the workplace is also a good setting to provide health information about safe sex practice, as part of a general health promotion program," said Dr Olivia Carlton, the president of the Society of Occupational Medicine.

"This study allows us to target the high risk occupations," she added.

source

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What a person does for a living could play in role in how they die, according to new research.

After analyzing 1.6 million deaths over a decade, British scientists found that painters, bricklayers and roofers had about twice the average rate of death from drug abuse, while merchant seamen, cooks and bar staff had a higher risk of alcohol-related deaths.

And dressmakers and hairdressers had nine times the average risk of death from HIV/AIDS.

"This study demonstrates that there are major differences between occupational groups in their risk of death from drug and alcohol-related diseases," said Dr David Coggon, of the Medical Research Council in Southampton, England, who headed the research team.

Although the diseases linked to certain types of death are unlikely to be a direct consequence of work, Coggon said the study published in the journal Occupational Medicine could open up new methods of prevention.

"The findings are important because they indicate opportunities for targeted interventions to prevent illness and promote health," he added. "The workplace is an ideal environment to pick up on drug and alcohol problems and to put in policies to improve safety and productivity and to help workers."

The researchers analyzed all deaths among men and women aged 16-74 years in England and Wales during 1991-2000. They found merchant seamen had a high risk for death from cirrhosis and other alcohol related illnesses such as cancer of the liver and oral cavity and from accidents like falling down stairs.

Higher than average risk of death from HIV/AIDS was found among male tailors and dressmakers and male hairdressers, while accidental poisoning by drug was high among male painters, decorators, bricklayers, plasterers and roofers.

"Although it may not be so obvious, the workplace is also a good setting to provide health information about safe sex practice, as part of a general health promotion program," said Dr Olivia Carlton, the president of the Society of Occupational Medicine.

"This study allows us to target the high risk occupations," she added.

source

I wonder why.But this study is bogus they can't judge people on their job because every individual is different.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wonder why.But this study is bogus they can't judge people on their job because every individual is different.

The study is perfectly reasonable and informative.

Certainly, individuals are individuals, yet, given sufficient statistical power, studies such as these can accurately gauge how subsets of an entire population are likely to fare over long periods of time. The study doesn't purport to predict that Bill the Hairdresser will die of an STD in 53 years and six months. It simply states that there exists a correlation between occupation and cause of death, for certain occupations.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wonder why.But this study is bogus they can't judge people on their job because every individual is different.

Im going to guess it has a higher percentage of gay people in that field.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice! "Brick Layer" and work in a kitchen, Drugs and alcohol. Sounds about right. But Im going to die in a car explosion so this means nothing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

you guys even read the article? the study is identifying correlates between occupation and death causes in order to help with education/whatnot efforts. it's not trying to ascertain any causal relationship at all. in fact the article even stated that there's very unlikely to be any causal relationships between the occupation and cause of death.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Being gay has nothing to do with getting STDs. They don't get it more than straight people do.

statistics say otherwise, and nobody said all STD's, just HIV/AIDS.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

unprotected sex.

His statement still stands - being gay has nothing to do with gaining HIV/AIDS. People who have unprotected sex can gain such diseases, but with your reply to his post, you make it seem like being gay dictates one should have unprotected sex :unsure: What about a homosexual couple who have never had sex with anybody including each other and they are a couple simply through love? There is no way they can gain or spread any STD, so that falsifies any blind intolerance people have towards homosexuals, when they use that correlation as a reason.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

His statement still stands - being gay has nothing to do with gaining HIV/AIDS. People who have unprotected sex can gain such diseases, but with your reply to his post, you make it seem like being gay dictates one should have unprotected sex

I think he meant gay people have more unprotected sex, and therefore have more of a chance of catching an STD than someone (gay or straight) that has protected sex.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think he meant gay people have more unprotected sex, and therefore have more of a chance of catching an STD than someone (gay or straight) that has protected sex.

I'm positive he meant that as well, but I thought I'd highlight that what he said in reply to that Electric Jolt's post suggested differently, whether he meant it or not; I thought it'd be best to bring that up because it's a dangerous thought which a lot of people actually believe and it's one of the most common misconceptions which cause people to not tolerate homosexuality :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Repeat after me, folks: Correlation does not imply causation.

This study focused on correlation, and there's nothing wrong with that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

does that mean you wont die if you dont have a job? :woot:

An unexpected benefit to not having a job. I can see millions applying for unemployment benefits....for forever. :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

I wonder why.But this study is bogus they can't judge people on their job because every individual is different.

Yeah but if you are a window cleaner from Tokyo then I suspect the risk you will die from falling to your death is a lot higher than someone who works as a street cleaner in New York ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.