Health Outcomes and Behavioral Risk Factors Among US Law Enforcement Officers

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Occupational Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Violence prevention is a public health priority, with law enforcement officers (LEOs) playing a crucial role in frontline response.
• Limited population-based data exists on LEO health compared to the general workforce.
• This study aims to provide population-based estimates of LEO health outcomes and behavioral risk factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the health status and behavioral risk factors of LEOs with other employed adults.
• To identify specific health vulnerabilities among LEOs within the broader occupational context.
• To inform the development of targeted health interventions for LEOs.

Main Methods:

• Utilized 2018-2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data, linking public and restricted-use modules.
• Included 646,581 employed adults from 45 states, identifying LEOs through specific occupation codes.
• Compared self-reported health status, conditions, and behaviors between LEOs and other employed adults, adjusting for sociodemographics.

Main Results:

• LEOs reported lower prevalence of fair/poor general health, frequent mental distress, and depressive disorder.
• LEOs exhibited higher prevalence of overweight/obesity, diabetes, sleep deprivation, and high blood pressure.
• Increased prevalence of smokeless tobacco use and COVID-19 positivity was observed among LEOs compared to other workers.

Conclusions:

• LEOs demonstrate favorable overall and mental health profiles.
• Specific health vulnerabilities in LEOs may be linked to occupational factors like shift work and frontline exposure.
• Findings highlight the necessity for LEO-specific health risk identification and targeted prevention strategies.