DEPARTMENTS
BY THE NUMBERS
Health Risks of Long Work Hours
Working 55 or more hours per week “may modestly increase the risk of stroke and ischemic heart disease,” according to a report published in September by the Government Accountability Office. The report focuses on trends in work hours and how long work hours may affect health. GAO analyzed data from 2003–2023 from the Current Population Survey, a monthly survey sponsored jointly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Census Bureau that collects information about the U.S. labor force. GAO also examined six systematic reviews of research published between 2013 and 2023 and interviewed some of the reviews’ authors to explore the relationship between long work hours and poor health outcomes. Information from the report appears below.
From “Work Hours and Health: Research Shows That Very Long Hours May Modestly Increase the Risk of Certain Health Outcomes”:
“The experts GAO interviewed said more research is needed on the relationships between long work hours and poor health outcomes and behaviors. This includes whether there is a causal relationship between them, and how health risks may differ based on the type of work, working conditions, and other factors such as age and income level.”
SOURCE
Government Accountability Office: “Work Hours and Health: Research Shows That Very Long Hours May Modestly Increase the Risk of Certain Health Outcomes” (September 2024).
RELATED
The Synergist: “Deciphering Fatigue Risk Management Systems” (October 2022).
The Synergist: “Wake-Up Call” (December 2021).
Urbanscape/Getty Images
Tap on the graphic to open a larger version in your browser.