Working long hours is even WORSE for women’s health than for men’s… according to science
Some of the risks of a long working week include heart disease and cancer... and it could be even worse for single mothers
WORKING long hours can not only lead to fatigue and stress, a whole host of chronic and potentially fatal illnesses are also linked to the often un-avoidable habit.
A new study has shed light on the host of health problems which could be awaiting those who work longer than the traditional 9 to 5.
Apparently it’s even worse for women, especially single mothers.
The research looked at 7,492 people – and covered a huge 32 years of job history.
Most of the volunteers were in their 50s or older by the end of the study.
Worryingly, they found that regularly working long hours was link to increased risk of heart disease, non-skin cancer, arthritis, asthma and diabetes.
And ‘the observed risk was much larger among women than men’.
Researcher Allard Dembe, a professor of health services management and policy at Ohio State University, spoke to about the research.
He said: “People who habitually put in a lot of long hours for many years, even decades, are really running an increased risk of potentially seeing chronic disease later in life.
“It seems to be present a bit in men but is tremendously more evident in women.”
Scarily, women working more than 60 hours a week for most of their careers had more than three times the risk of getting heart disease, non-skin cancer and diabetes, as well as nearly three times the risk of developing asthma, and nearly four times the risk of developing arthritis.
The rates of illness began to climb at more than 40 hours, and escalated massively above 50 hours.
Prof Dembe said he found the gender differences ‘surprising’, and guessed it was to do with ladies juggling multiple roles.
He said: “My speculation is, they have to balance all these other roles, parenting, child care, domestic responsibilities, worrying about everyone's health care.”
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Working long hours can interfere with your sleep pattern, and keep the body in a CONSTANT state of stress, Prof Dembe added.
Dr Nieca Goldberg, medical director for women’s health at New York University’s Langone Medical Centre, said the risk may be even worse for working single mothers – who have little time to take care of their own health, and cook proper meals.
She understands that many women need to work hard to pay their rent, but advises us all to take some time out for ourselves.
“Clear you head”, she said.