[Effect of night shift work on health status]

Presented in the paper are opinions on night work. The authors submit not only their own views but also those of other researchers. The material points to considerable hazards of the night work, including specific negative health effects. However, it could hardly be defined who is more harmed by the night shift--women or men, except for its probable contribution to reproduction disturbances in women. Genetic effects are not clear--they call for further studies. Apart from the negative effects of the night shift upon health, family and social life, the paper deals with the issues of minimising those adverse effects, including some examples of preventive measures.