Alcohol use among firefighters in the Central United States

Haddock, C. Keith; Jahnke, Sara A.; Poston, Walker S. Carlos; Jitnarin, Nattinee; Kaipust, Christopher M.; Tuley, Brianne C.; Hyder, Melissa L.

doi:10.1093/occmed/kqs162

Cited by 95 publications

(84 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Although many cancers of interest are influenced by lifestyle factors, this study was not able to adjust for these potential confounders. Recent studies found that firefighters working in the central region of the United States were less likely to smoke [Haddock et al, 2011], but have high rates of heavy and binge drinking on their off-duty days [Haddock et al, 2012]. Any differences in lifestyle factors could have biased our estimates in either direction.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Risk of cancer among firefighters in California, 1988–2007

Tsai

Luckhaupt

Schumacher

et al. 2015

American J Industrial Med

112

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Background Most studies of firefighter cancer risks were conducted prior to 1990 and do not reflect risk from advances in building materials. Methods A case–control study using California Cancer Registry data (1988–2007) was conducted to evaluate the risk of cancer among firefighters, stratified by race. Results This study identified 3,996 male firefighters with cancer. Firefighters were found to have a significantly elevated risk for melanoma (odds ratio [OR]=1.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4–2.1), multiple myeloma (OR 1.4; 95%CI 1.0–1.8), acute myeloid leukemia (OR 1.4; 95%CI 1.0–2.0), and cancers of the esophagus (OR 1.6;95%CI 1.2–2.1), prostate (OR 1.5; 95%CI 1.3–1.7), brain (OR 1.5; 95%CI 1.2–2.0), and kidney (OR 1.3; 95%CI 1.0–1.6). Conclusions In addition to observing cancer findings consistent with previous research, this study generated novel findings for firefighters with race/ethnicity other than white. It provides additional evidence to support the association between firefighting and several specific cancers.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Risk of cancer among firefighters in California, 1988–2007

Tsai

Luckhaupt

Schumacher

et al. 2015

American J Industrial Med

112

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“…On average, 3.6 alcoholic drinks were consumed per week in our study; this was also lower than other recent epidemiological studies assessing the use of alcohol among American firefighters. (20,21) Lastly, there was a marginal reduction of caffeinated beverage consumption, from 2.5 to 2.2. The numbers remained moderate, demonstrating a continued healthy level of caffeinated beverages through the study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of changing work schedules on American firefighters’ sleep patterns and well-being

Caputo

Salottolo

Gosche

et al. 2015

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Across the nation, fire departments are adopting the 48/96 work schedule, in which firefighters work 48 consecutive hours with the following 96 hours off. Our study objective was to explain and quantify the impact of switching from the Kelly schedule to the 48/96 schedule by measuring changes in sleep, feelings of daytime function, as well as perceptions of professional and personal well-being for American firefighters. Sleep diaries and self-reported surveys were administered to firefighters at an urban fire department. Sleep diaries measuring the number of hours slept and feelings of refreshment were compared one month before and four months after implementation of the 48/96 schedule. The self-reported surveys measured sleepiness levels via the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Secondary study objectives included changes in professional and personal well-being time for personal schedules, satisfaction, and health habits before and after the 48/96 schedule was implemented. The 59 firefighters included in the study reported an increase in sleep on-shift after the new schedule implementation (5.8 to 6.6 hours/night, p < 0.001). Participants also reported increased feelings of refreshment on days off (p < 0.001) and decreased daytime sleepiness (p < 0.001).We also found a general trend of improved perceptions of satisfaction, less shift interference with personal schedules and decreased feelings of burnout.American firefighters appeared to benefit from a 48/96 schedule, with short-term SIGNA VITAE 2015; 10(1): 25 -37 25 improvements in sleep patterns, feelings of burnout, and time for personal schedules.

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“…Last, information on alcohol consumption within the fire service is sparse and inconsistent. [37][38][39][40] Some studies suggest that firefighter behaviours may differ from the general population, although it is not clear that any perceived behavioural difference is sufficient to explain disparities in alcohol-related health outcomes. In the current study, the information on non-malignant and potentially alcohol-related mortality was at conflict; there was excess mortality from cirrhosis and other chronic liver disease, but fewer than expected alcoholism deaths.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mortality and cancer incidence in a pooled cohort of US firefighters from San Francisco, Chicago and Philadelphia (1950–2009)

et al. 2013

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Objectives To examine mortality patterns and cancer incidence in a pooled cohort of 29 993 US career firefighters employed since 1950 and followed through 2009. Methods Mortality and cancer incidence were evaluated by life table methods with the US population referent. Standardised mortality (SMR) and incidence (SIR) ratios were determined for 92 causes of death and 41 cancer incidence groupings. Analyses focused on 15 outcomes of a priori interest. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to examine the potential for significant bias. Results Person-years at risk totalled 858 938 and 403 152 for mortality and incidence analyses, respectively. All-cause mortality was at expectation (SMR=0.99, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.01, n=12 028). There was excess cancer mortality (SMR=1.14, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.18, n=3285) and incidence (SIR=1.09, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.12, n=4461) comprised mainly of digestive (SMR=1.26, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.34, n=928; SIR=1.17, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.25, n=930) and respiratory (SMR=1.10, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.17, n=1096; SIR=1.16, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.24, n=813) cancers. Consistent with previous reports, modest elevations were observed in several solid cancers; however, evidence of excess lymphatic or haematopoietic cancers was lacking. This study is the first to report excess malignant mesothelioma (SMR=2.00, 95% CI 1.03 to 3.49, n=12; SIR=2.29, 95% CI 1.60 to 3.19, n=35) among US firefighters. Results appeared robust under differing assumptions and analytic techniques. Conclusions Our results provide evidence of a relation between firefighting and cancer. The new finding of excess malignant mesothelioma is noteworthy, given that asbestos exposure is a known hazard of firefighting.

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Alcohol use among firefighters in the Central United States

Abstract: Given the high rates of heavy and binge drinking, local and nationally coordinated efforts to increase the surveillance of drinking behaviour among firefighters and the development of targeted prevention interventions are critically needed.

Cited by 95 publications

References 5 publications

Risk of cancer among firefighters in California, 1988–2007

Risk of cancer among firefighters in California, 1988–2007

The impact of changing work schedules on American firefighters’ sleep patterns and well-being

Mortality and cancer incidence in a pooled cohort of US firefighters from San Francisco, Chicago and Philadelphia (1950–2009)

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