Health risks for flight crews & how you can help inform the research
I created Jet Lagged Nutrition to support the health of flight crew. I’ve mentioned before that I feel those in aviation have unique health needs that aren’t being catered to.
Pilot & flight attendant healthcare seems to end at passing your medical or getting a letter to be off sick if you can’t fly. It doesn’t tend to spend much time proactively dealing with all the job related factors that pose real health concerns.
So far studies have found flying has a number of effects on the health of flight crew including:
Chronic bronchitis, skin and reproductive cancers, fatigue disorders, depression, anxiety, respiratory and cardiovascular health.
To understand these risks better, the Flight Attendant Health Study, was started with the goal of improving the health and safety for flight crew globally.
These researchers are looking at the effects of flying on mental and musculoskeletal health, the impact of the cabin environment on cardiac, respiratory and blood oxygen, looking at environmental exposures impacting DNA repair capacity (think cancer prevention/causation) & even health effects from the uniforms chosen and produced for the industry which have lead to skin rashes, respiratory problems, fatigue & thyroid disease.
Research is extremely important in regulating the industry with the best health and safety practices, so if you’re interested in things changing , why not contribute to the study.
Go here to learn more about the study or click here to download the app and start contributing on your next flight.
For those of you interested in examples of the studies that have already be done, scroll to the very bottom for more links.
We don't have to wait for more studies or regulation though, to start today on making personal lifestyle changes that can help prevent and protect us from many of these issues.
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Safe travels,
Tracy