Mapping the knowledge base for maritime health: 1 historical perspective

Area of Science:

• Maritime health
• History of medicine
• Public health interventions

Background:

• Significant advancements in understanding disease and treatment over the past 150 years.
• Historical context of disease and injury patterns among seafarers.
• Evolution of medical interventions and their effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the development of knowledge regarding seafarer health.
• To examine the types of health information collected and the settings for collection.
• To assess the utilization of health data and maritime sector responses to its analysis.

Main Methods:

• Historical review of medical records and intervention studies related to seafarers.
• Analysis of data collection practices and their evolution.
• Examination of the impact of health information on maritime safety policies.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated progression in the knowledge base of seafarer diseases and injuries.
• Illustrated the types of data gathered and the environments where it was collected.
• Showcased the application of health information in reducing maritime harm.

Conclusions:

• The historical collection and analysis of seafarer health data have been crucial for improving interventions.
• Maritime sector engagement with health information is vital for harm reduction.
• Continued development in understanding and managing seafarer health is evident.