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A study of airline pilot morbidity
Adrian J Sykes1, Peter D Larsen, Robin F Griffiths
1Department of Occupational and Aviation Medicine, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand.
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|October 17, 2012
Summary
Airline pilots in New Zealand generally exhibit better health outcomes than the general population. However, pilots showed higher rates of kidney disease and melanoma skin cancer, possibly linked to their occupation.
Area of Science:
- Aviation Medicine
- Occupational Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Belief that airline pilots are healthier than the general population lacks substantial evidence.
- This study addresses the need for empirical data on pilot health.
- Focuses on an Oceanic-based airline's pilot population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare the health status of airline pilots to the general population.
- To identify any significant differences in medical conditions and health indicators.
Main Methods:
- Included 595 pilots undergoing medical certificate renewal (Nov 2009 - Oct 2010).
- Collected data via medical questionnaires, BMI, blood pressure, lipid profile, and blood glucose.
- Compared pilot data with the New Zealand Health Survey (NZHS) using Chi-squared tests.
Main Results:
- Pilots demonstrated a lower prevalence of most medical conditions compared to the general population.
- A higher prevalence of kidney disease (3.3% vs 0.6%) was observed in pilots.
- Pilots had a significantly higher incidence of melanoma skin cancer (19 per 1000 vs 0.4 per 1000).
Conclusions:
- New Zealand airline pilots are generally healthier than the general population across most conditions.
- Elevated rates of kidney disease and melanoma in pilots may be associated with occupational factors.
- Further research into occupational health impacts on pilot well-being is warranted.
