Certain characteristics of police work such as shift work, long work hours, high demands, and traumatic exposures have been associated with increased levels of psychological stress and in some cases with adverse cardiovascular outcomes. An observational study conducted over a period of time can provide more convincing evidence that these workplace stressors lead to development of adverse physiological and psychological health outcomes. Thus, the general objective of this project is to conduct a longitudinal follow-up assessment of approximately 475 police officers for whom baseline data and a protocol infrastructure have already been established. The study will assess police workplace stress by examining physiological and psychological measures of stress and evaluating potential associations of these measures with subclinical markers or early signs of cardiovascular and metabolic disease in a population-based design. Markers of disease include blood pressure;laboratory measurement of lipids, glucose, and insulin;heart rate variability to assess autonomic nervous system function;ultrasound imaging studies to measure carotid artery wall thickness (atherosclerosis) and brachial artery reactivity (endothelial or vascular function);and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometric (DXA) measurement of body fat, lean tissue composition, and bone density. Also to be examined are psychosocial factors known to be detrimental to health such as perceived stress, depression, and hostility, and factors known to be protective (e.g., resiliency and social support). The research findings on the health consequences of stress can be translated into improved prevention practices. Analysis of the complex prospective data acquired from this research may contribute to a better understanding of how exposure to stressors over time may lead to early indicators of cardiovascular and metabolic abnormalities. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the percentage of workers who describe their job as very or extremely stressful can be as high as 40 percent (Stress...At Work;NIOSH Publication No. 99- 101). Given this likelihood that stress is relatively common in the workplace, prevention of adverse health consequences that may be associated with stress could benefit a large proportion of the working population.

Public Health Relevance

Stressors inherent in police work and related lifestyle factors have been associated with adverse cardiovascular and metabolic health outcomes. However, the majority of studies has thus far been cross sectional in design, and has focused mostly on apparent clinical outcomes. Thus, the overall goal of this project is to longitudinally examine the impact of occupational stressors on early signs of cardiovascular and metabolic disease in police officers in order to further knowledge on this topic and enhance prevention efforts in the field.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01OH009640-02
Application #
8130636
Study Section
Safety and Occupational Health Study Section (SOH)
Program Officer
Karr, Joan
Project Start
2010-09-01
Project End
2015-08-31
Budget Start
2011-09-01
Budget End
2012-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$530,088
Indirect Cost
Name
State University of New York at Buffalo
Department
Public Health & Prev Medicine
Type
Schools of Allied Health Profes
DUNS #
038633251
City
Buffalo
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
14260
Gu, Ja K; Charles, Luenda E; Klein, Ronald et al. (2018) Association Between Blood Pressure and Retinal Vessel Diameters Among Police Officers in the US Northeast. J Occup Environ Med 60:234-240
Charles, Luenda E; Gu, Ja K; Ma, Claudia C et al. (2017) Shiftwork and the Retinal Vasculature Diameters Among Police Officers. J Occup Environ Med 59:e172-e179
Charles, Luenda E; Zhao, Songzhu; Fekedulegn, Desta et al. (2016) Shiftwork and decline in endothelial function among police officers. Am J Ind Med 59:1001-1008
Ma, Claudia C; Burchfiel, Cecil M; Charles, Luenda E et al. (2013) Associations of objectively measured and self-reported sleep duration with carotid artery intima media thickness among police officers. Am J Ind Med 56:1341-51
Violanti, John M; Fekedulegn, Desta; Andrew, Michael E et al. (2013) Shift work and long-term injury among police officers. Scand J Work Environ Health 39:361-8