Turning the tide: reducing mortality among Danish merchant seafarers
Kajsa Ugelvig Petersen1, Henrik Lyngbeck Hansen2, Linda Kaerlev3,4
1Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Danish Cancer Society, Copenhagen, Denmark kajpet@cancer.dk.
Occupational and Environmental Medicine
|July 10, 2020
Summary
Mortality among Danish seafarers has decreased significantly due to improved safety measures. However, disparities in mortality persist, particularly for non-officers on certain ship types.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Maritime Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Historically, seafaring was associated with significant occupational hazards.
- Recent decades have seen substantial advancements in safety and health protocols for merchant ship personnel.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate changes in overall and cause-specific mortality among Danish seafarers.
- To assess the impact of improved safety measures on seafarer health outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 44,555 Danish seafarers employed between 1986-1999 was established.
- Vital status and causes of death were tracked using national registries.
- Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated against the general employed Danish population.
Main Results:
- Seafarers employed before 1992 exhibited high overall mortality (SMR 1.78 for males, 1.61 for females).
- Mortality rates decreased substantially for those employed in later periods, approaching general population levels.
- A persistent excess in mortality was observed primarily among non-officers on tankers and smaller vessels.
Conclusions:
- Mortality among seafarers has shifted from a high-risk profile to near-normal levels compared to the general working population.
- Significant disparities in mortality risks remain, linked to specific job roles and ship categories.
