Few studies have evaluated gene-environment interaction in the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). | | • | Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) in relevant genes (e.g. immune, inflammatory, serotonin) were analyzed. | | • | Two experienced industrial hygienists estimated parental occupational exposure to solvents. | | • | Additive and multiplicative gene-environment interactions between SNPs and parental solventexposure were evaluated. | | • | SNP x solvent interaction is associated with higher rates of ASD compared to the SNP alone or solvent exposure alone.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the self-reported prevalence of prescription opioid use and illicit drug use in the U.S. METHODS: Self-reported prescription opioid use and illicit drug use (mostly non-opioid) were obtained for adults and adult workers (NHANES 2005-2016). RESULTS: Prevalence (95% CI) of prescription opioid use was 6.5% (6.0-7.0) (adults) and 4.1% (3.7-4.5) (workers). Prevalence of illicit drug use was 9.5% (8.8-10.1) (adults) and 10.2% (9.4-11.1) (workers). Among occupations, prevalence of prescription opioid use was highest in personal care (6.5%; 4.1-10.4) and healthcare practitioners (5.9%; 3.8-9.0); for illicit drug use, construction/extraction (18.0%; 15.1-21.3) and food preparation (15.8%; 12.5-19.7). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of prescription opioid use was elevated among some occupations. Judicious prescription strategies and targeted interventions are both needed. The prevalence of illicit drug use among certain occupational groups suggests the need to ensure access to therapy.

PURPOSE: This study examined trends in the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CVD risk factors among U.S. older adults and workers. We also investigated correlations between the temporal prevalence of CVD and selected risk factors (hypertension, obesity, physical inactivity, smoking, and treated diabetes) among participants. METHODS: Data were obtained from the National Health Interview Survey (2004-2018) for U.S. adults aged ≥50 years (N=207,539), of which 84,180 were employed. Temporal trends in prevalence were assessed by fitting weighted regression models to the age-standardized prevalence to the 2010 U.S. POPULATION: The relationship between temporal prevalence of CVD with each risk factor was assessed using Spearman's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Among all older adults, the prevalence of CVD significantly declined (β=-0.16, p<0.001) during 2004-2018; similar decline was observed among employed adults (β=-0.16, p=0.001). Temporal prevalence in CVD was positively correlated to physical inactivity (r=0.73, p=0.002) and smoking (r=0.81, p<0.001), but not to any of the other risk factors. CONCLUSION: Among employed adults aged ≥50 years, the prevalence of CVD, physical inactivity, and smoking dramatically declined over the past 15 years. The temporal decline in prevalence of CVD was significantly associated with decline prevalence of physical inactivity and smoking.

Introduction: Injuries at work may negatively influence mental health due to lost or reduced working hours and financial burden of treatment. Our objective was to investigate, in U.S. workers (a) the prevalence of serious psychological distress (SPD) by injury status (occupational, non-occupational, and no injury) and injury characteristics, and (b) the association between injury status and SPD. Methods: Self-reported injuries within the previous three months were collected annually for 225,331 U.S. workers in the National Health Interview Survey (2004–2016). Psychological distress during the past 30 days was assessed using the Kessler 6 (K6) questions with Likert-type scale (0–4, total score range: 0–24). SPD was defined as K6 ≥ 13. Prevalence ratios (PR) from fitted logistic regression models were used to assess relationships between injury and SPD after controlling for covariates. Results: The prevalence of SPD was 4.74%, 3.58%, and 1.56% in workers reporting occupational injury (OI), non-occupational injury (NOI), and no injury, respectively. Workers with head and neck injury had the highest prevalence of SPD (Prevalence: OI = 7.71%, NOI = 6.17%), followed by workers with scrape/bruise/burn/bite (6.32% for those with OI). Workers reporting OI were two times more likely to have SPD compared to those without injury (PR = 2.19, 95%CI: 1.62–2.96). However, there was no significant difference in SPD between workers with OI and workers with NOI (PR = 0.98, 95%CI: 0.65–1.48). Conclusion: The prevalence of SPD varied by injury status with the highest being among workers reporting OI. We found that the workers reporting OI were significantly more likely to have SPD than those without injury, but not more than those with NOI. Practical Applications: Mental health management programs by employers are necessary for workers who are injured in the workplace.

PURPOSE: We examined cross-sectional associations of sleep measures with central retinal artery equivalent (CRAE) and central retinal vein equivalent (CRVE) and investigated whether sex and race/ethnicity modified these associations. METHODS: Participants (N = 202; 78% white; 71% men) were enrolled in the Buffalo Cardio-metabolic Occupational Police Stress study (2011-2014). Wrist actigraphy was used to assess sleep measures including sleep duration, sleep efficiency, sleep onset latency, wake after sleep onset, number of awakenings, and longest wake episode. CRAE and CRVE were obtained from fundus photography of retina and were averaged from both eyes per officer. RESULTS: We observed significant associations between sleep efficiency and CRVE (beta = -2.81 microm; P= .046), and between longest wake episode and CRVE (beta = 3.24 microm; P= .021). Adjustments for demographics, lifestyles, and physical and psychological factors attenuated these associations. Sex modified the independent associations of sleep onset latency and longest wake episode with CRVE. One standard deviation (SD) increase in sleep onset latency was associated with 4.81 microm larger CRVE (P= .028) (P-interaction = 0.098), and one SD increase in longest wake episode was associated with 4.62 microm larger CRVE (P= .032) (P-interaction = 0.115) among men. Race/ethnicity also modified the association between longest wake episode and CRVE (P-interaction = 0.088). A significant association was observed only among white officers (beta = 4.96 microm; P= .025). CONCLUSIONS: We found that poor sleep quality, measured by longest wake episode, was positively and independently associated with retinal venular diameter among white and male officers. Longitudinal studies are warranted to assess whether poor sleep quality is a risk factor for retinal diameter changes.

This study investigated the associations of baseline sleep onset latency, wake after sleep onset, longest wake episode, number of awakenings, sleep efficiency and sleep duration with incident hypertension during a 7-year follow-up (n = 161, 68% men) and the joint effect of insufficient sleep and obesity on incident hypertension. Sleep parameters were derived from 15-day actigraphy data. Relative risks and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using a robust Poisson regression model. Each 10-min increase in sleep onset latency was associated with an 89% higher risk of hypertension (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.12-3.20). Each 10-min increase in longest wake episode was associated with a 23% higher risk of hypertension (95% CI = 1.01-1.50) and each 10% decrease in sleep efficiency was associated with a 50% higher risk of hypertension (95% CI = 1.02-2.22). These associations were independent of demographic and lifestyle characteristics, depressive symptoms, shift work, sleep duration and body mass index. Having <6 hr of sleep and a body mass index >/=30 kg/m(2) increased the risk of hypertension (relative risk = 2.81; 95% CI = 1.26-6.25) compared with having >/=6 hr of sleep and a body mass index <30 after controlling for confounders. Relative excess risk due to interaction was 3.49 (95% CI = -1.69-8.68) and ratio of relative risk was 3.21 (95% CI = 0.72-14.26). These results suggest that poor sleep quality is a risk factor for hypertension. Longitudinal studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to examine the joint effect of insufficient sleep and obesity on development of hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: Studies show that serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), a biomarker for vitamin D status, are lower in persons with higher adiposity levels and that police officers have been found to have a high prevalence of obesity. The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between several adiposity measures and 25(OH)D, and also compare those measures to determine the best one that predicts insufficiency of 25(OH)D (<20 ng/mL) among police officers in the Northeast area of the United States. METHODS: Participants were 281 police officers (71.5% men) from the Buffalo Cardio-Metabolic Occupational Police Stress Study (2011-2016). Associations of body mass index (BMI), abdominal height (AbHt), waist circumference (WC), WC-to-height ratio (WCHtR), percent body fat (PBF), and fat mass index (FMI) with 25(OH)D were obtained using multiple regression models after adjustment for age, race/ethnicity, season, multivitamin supplement use, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The area under the curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the predictive ability of each adiposity measure to identify insufficient 25(OH)D concentrations. RESULTS: The prevalence of obesity (BMI >/= 30) was 50.7% in men and 21.3% in women. Mean levels of 25(OH)D were 32.4 ng/mL in men and 34.4 ng/mL in women. After adjustment for covariates, PBF and FMI among men were inversely associated with 25(OH)D: PBF (beta +/- SE = -2.40 +/- 1.01, P = .018); FMI (-2.21 +/- 0.93, .018). Among women, no adiposity measure was associated with 25(OH)D. PBF was the best predictor of insufficient 25(OH)D concentrations regardless of gender (AUC = 0.878). CONCLUSION: Adiposity measures were inversely associated with 25(OH)D, but differed between female and male officers.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to determine if parental occupational exposure to 16 agents is associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS: Demographic, health and parental occupational data were collected as part of the CHildhood Autism Risks from Genetics and Environment study. The workplace exposure assessment was conducted by two experienced industrial hygienists for the parents of 537 children with ASD and 414 typically developing (TD) children. For each job, frequency and intensity of 16 agents were assessed and both binary and semi-quantitative cumulative exposure variables were derived. Logistic regression models were used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) to assess associations between parental occupational exposures 3 months pre-pregnancy until birth. RESULTS: The OR of ASD in the children of mothers exposed to any solvents was 1.5 times higher than the mothers of TD children (95% CI=1.01-2.23). Cumulative exposure indicated that the OR associated with a moderate level of solvent exposure in mothers was 1.85 (95% CI=1.09, 3.15) for children with ASD compared with TD children. No other exposures were associated with ASD in mothers, fathers or the parents combined. CONCLUSION: Maternal occupational exposure to solvents may increase the risk for ASD. These results are consistent with a growing body of evidence indicating that environmental and occupational exposures may be associated with ASD. Future research should consider specific types of solvents, larger samples and/or different study designs to evaluate other exposures for potential associations with ASD.

Background: Police officers’ stress perception, frequency of stressful events (stressors), and police work characteristics may contribute to poor sleep quality through different mechanisms. Methods: We investigated associations of stress severity (measured by stress rating score) and frequency of stressors with sleep quality and examined the influence of police work characteristics including workload, police rank, prior military experience, and shift work on the associations. Participants were 356 police officers (256 men and 100 women) enrolled in the Buffalo Cardio-Metabolic Occupational Police Stress Study from 2004 to 2009. A mean stress rating score and mean frequency of stressors occurring in the past month were computed for each participant from the Spielberger Police Stress Survey data. Sleep quality was assessed using the global score derived from the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index survey. Linear associations of the stress rating score and frequency of stressors with sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index global score) were tested. Age, sex, race/ethnicity, and smoking status were selected as potential confounders. Results: The stress rating score was positively and independently associated with poor sleep quality (beta = 0.17, p = 0.002). Only workload significantly modified this association (beta = 0.23, p = 0.001 for high workload group; p-interaction = 0.109). The frequency of stressors was positively and independently associated with poor sleep quality (beta = 0.13, p = 0.025). Only police rank significantly modified the association (beta = 0.007, p = 0.004 for detectives/other executives; p-interaction = 0.076). Conclusion: Both police officers’ perception of stress severity and the frequency of stressors are associated with poor sleep quality. Stress coping or sleep promotion regimens may be more beneficial among police officers reporting high workloads.

BACKGROUND: The annual incidence rate of work-related upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (WUEMSDs) is increasing in US workers according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). However, the prevalence of WUEMSDs among US total workers has not been estimated. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to estimate the prevalence of WUEMSDs among US total workers and among each of major occupations and industries. METHODS: We analyzed data from the National Health Interview Survey Arthritis supplements (2006, 2009, and 2014) among 50,218 current workers (age >/=18 years) to estimate the 30-day prevalence of WUEMSDs and of WUEMSDs affecting work using the SAS-callable SUDAAN software. RESULTS: About 11.2 million workers reported WUEMSDs based on three surveys (2006, 2009, and 2014). The 30-day prevalence of WUEMSDs was 8.23% the prevalence of WUEMSDs affecting work was 1.24%. The Construction occupation and industry had the highest age- and sex-adjusted 30-day prevalence of WUEMSDs (10.98% for Construction occupation; 9.94% for Construction industry) and WUEMSDs affecting work (3.32% for Construction occupation; 2.31% Construction industry). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that construction workers had the highest prevalence of both WUEMSDs and WUEMSDs affecting work. They may be a priority group for interventions to reduce upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders.

The role of coping in the association between stress and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is not clear. We investigated the effects of active and passive coping strategies on the associations between police stress (administrative and organization pressure, physical and psychological threats, and lack of support) and PTSD symptoms in 342 police officers. Linear regression model was used in the analyses. The association between physical and psychological stress and PTSD symptoms was stronger in officers who used lower active coping (B = 4.34, p &lt; 0.001) compared to those who utilized higher active coping (p-interaction = 0.027) (B = 1.79, p ≤ 0.003). A similar result was found between lack of support and PTSD symptoms (p-interaction = 0.016) (lower active coping, B = 5.70, p &lt; 0.001; higher active coping, B = 3.33, p &lt; 0.001), but was not significantly different comparing the two groups regarding the association between administrative and organizational pressure and PTSD symptoms (p-interaction = 0.376). Associations of total stress, administrative and organizational pressure, and physical and psychological stressors with PTSD symptoms were significantly stronger in officers who utilized higher passive coping (p-interaction = 0.011, 0.030, and 0.023, respectively). In conclusion, low active or high passive coping methods may exacerbate the effect of work stress on PTSD symptoms. © 2018, This is a U.S. government work and its text is not subject to copyright protection in the United States; however, its text may be subject to foreign copyright protection.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the association of social avoidance among police, cardiovascular disease (CVD) (metabolic syndrome (MetSyn)), and social support. Design/methodology/approach: Participants were officers from the Buffalo Cardio-Metabolic Occupational Police Stress study (n=289). Social avoidance (defined as the tendency to avoid social contact) and other subscales from the Cook-Medley Hostility Scale were analyzed. The mean number of MetSyn components across tertiles of the Cook-Medley scales was computed using analysis of variance and analysis of covariance. Social support was measured with the Social Provisions Scale, categorized as high or low based on the median. Findings: The mean number of MetSyn components increased significantly across tertiles of social avoidance (1.51±0.18, 1.52±0.12, and 1.81±0.12); the only Cook-Medley subscale that remained significantly associated with MetSyn following adjustment for age and gender. Participants high in social avoidance reported significantly lower social support (79.9±8.5 vs 85.8±8.6; p=0.001). Research limitations/implications: The study is cross-sectional and therefore precludes causality. The authors were unable to determine the direction of associations between social avoidance and MetSyn. The measure of social support was unidimensional, including only perceived support; additional types of social support measures would be helpful. Practical implications: This study suggests that occupational-based police social isolation is associated with health outcomes and lower support. Several suggestions are made which will help to improve communication between the police and public. Examples are the use of social media, training in communication techniques, and changing the police role to one of public guardians. Originality/value: Social avoidance is the least studied the Cook-Medley subscale associated with CVD. It is important for the health of officers to maintain a social connection with others.

The present study examined the association between shift work and fatigue among male ( n = 230) and female ( n = 78) police officers. A 15-year work history database was used to define dominant shifts as day, afternoon, or night. A 10-item questionnaire created from the Standard Shiftwork Index (SSI) assessed fatigue. Gender-stratified analyses of variance and covariance and Poisson regression were used to compare means and prevalence of individual items across shifts. No significant differences in total fatigue scores were observed across shifts. However, the prevalence of the fatigue item "feelings of tiredness" was 89% higher among male officers working the afternoon shift compared with officers working the day shift (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.12, 3.23], p = .020), after adjustment for covariates. Women reported a lower prevalence of tiredness than men on the afternoon shift. Organizations with afternoon shift workers should consider reducing fatigue at work through education and other methods.

OBJECTIVE: To examine relationships of blood pressure with central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE) and central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE) among 242 police officers. METHODS: Computerized retinal images of each eye were taken. Mean values of CRAE and CRVE were compared across hypertension status categories using ANOVA and ANCOVA. Associations of mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) with CRAE and CRVE were obtained using regression models. RESULTS: CRAE were significantly narrower in officers with uncontrolled hypertension (142.8 +/- 2.7 mum), compared to those with controlled hypertension (153.6 +/- 2.7 mum, p = 0.0013) and those with no hypertension (156.4 +/- 1.0 mum, p </= 0.0001) after covariate adjustment. CRAE decreased by 3.43 mum for each 5 mmHG increase in MABP (p </= 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Uncontrolled hypertension was significantly associated with narrower retinal arterioles. No association was observed with retinal venules.

Background: According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) accounted for 32% of all nonfatal injury and illness cases in 2014 among full-time workers. Our objective was to review and summarize the evidence linking occupational exposures to vibration and awkward posture with MSDs of the shoulder and neck. Methods: A literature search was conducted using the terms musculoskeletal disorders, vibration, and awkward posture. All types of observational epidemiologic studies, with the exception of case reports, published during 1998-2015 were included. Databases searched were MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), Scopus, Ergonomic Abstracts, NIOSHTIC-2, and Health and Safety Science Abstracts. Results: Occupational exposures to whole-body or hand-arm vibration were significantly associated with or resulted in MSDs of the shoulder and neck. Awkward postures while working were also associated with MSDs in these locations. These findings were consistent across study designs, populations, and countries. Conclusion: Occupational exposure to vibration and awkward posture are associated with shoulder and neck MSDs. Longitudinal studies are required to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for these associations, and intervention studies are warranted.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide a state-of-the-art review on the topic of police stressors and associated health outcomes. Recent empirical research is reviewed in the areas of workplace stress, shift work, traumatic stress, and health. The authors provide a comprehensive table outlining occupational exposures and related health effects in police officers. Design/methodology/approach: A review of recent empirical research on police stress and untoward psychological and physiological health outcomes in police officers. Findings: The results offer a conceptual idea of the empirical associations between stressful workplace exposures and their impact on the mental and physical well-being of officers. Research limitations/implications: A key limitation observed in prior research is the cross-sectional study design; however, this serves as a motivator for researchers to explore these associations utilizing a longitudinal study design that will help determine causality. Originality/value: This review provides empirical evidence of both mental and physical outcomes associated with police stress and the processes involved in both. Research findings presented in this paper are based on sound psychological and medical evidence among police officers.

BACKGROUND: Maternal folic acid (FA) protects against developmental toxicity from certain environmental chemicals. OBJECTIVE: We examined combined exposures to maternal FA and pesticides in relation to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS: Participants were California children born from 2000-2007 who were enrolled in the Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and the Environment (CHARGE) case-control study at age 2-5 y, were clinically confirmed to have ASD (n=296) or typical development (n=220), and had information on maternal supplemental FA and pesticide exposures. Maternal supplemental FA and household pesticide product use were retrospectively collected in telephone interviews from 2003-2011. High vs. low daily FA intake was dichotomized at 800mug (median). Mothers' addresses were linked to a statewide database of commercial applications to estimate agricultural pesticide exposure. RESULTS: High FA intake (≥800mug) during the first pregnancy month and no known pesticide exposure was the reference group for all analyses. Compared with this group, ASD was increased in association with <800mug FA and any indoor pesticide exposure {adjusted odds ratio [OR]=2.5 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3, 4.7]} compared with low FA [OR=1.2 (95% CI: 0.7, 2.2)] or indoor pesticides [OR=1.7 (95% CI: 1.1, 2.8)] alone. ORs for the combination of low FA and regular pregnancy exposure (≥6 mo) to pet pesticides or to outdoor sprays and foggers were 3.9 (95% CI: 1.4, 11.5) and 4.1 (95% CI: 1.7, 10.1), respectively. ORs for low maternal FA and agricultural pesticide exposure 3 mo before or after conception were 2.2 (95% CI: 0.7, 6.5) for chlorpyrifos, 2.3 (95% CI: 0.98, 5.3) for organophosphates, 2.1 (95% CI: 0.9, 4.8) for pyrethroids, and 1.5 (95% CI: 0.5, 4.8) for carbamates. Except for carbamates, these ORs were approximately two times greater than those for either exposure alone or for the expected ORs for combined exposures under multiplicative or additive models. CONCLUSIONS: In this study population, associations between pesticide exposures and ASD were attenuated among those with high versus low FA intake during the first month of pregnancy. Confirmatory and mechanistic studies are needed. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP604.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate associations of central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE), a measure of retinal arteriolar width, and central retinal venular equivalents (CRVE), a measure of retinal venular width, with shiftwork in 199 police officers (72.9% men). METHODS: Shiftwork (day, afternoon, night) was assessed using electronic payroll records. Four digital retinal images per officer were taken. Mean diameters of the retinal vasculature were compared across shifts using analysis of variance (ANOVA)/analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). RESULTS: Among all officers (mean age = 46.6 +/- 6.8 years), shiftwork was not significantly associated with CRAE or CRVE. However, among current and former smokers, night-shift officers had a wider mean (+/-standard error [SE]) CRVE (230.0 +/- 4.5 mum) compared with day shift officers (215.1 +/- 3.5 mum); adjusted P = 0.014. CONCLUSIONS: Night shift schedule in current and former smokers is associated with wider retinal venules. Reasons for this association are not known. Longitudinal studies are warranted.

This descriptive study examined the top five most frequent and highly rated occupational stressors from the Spielberger Police Stress Survey among 365 police officers enrolled in the Buffalo Cardio-Metabolic Occupational Police Stress (BCOPS) Study (2004-2009). Prevalence, frequency, and rating of stressors were compared across gender. Poisson regression was used to estimate the prevalence and prevalence ratio (PR) of events. Analysis of variance was used to compare mean frequency of occurrence and mean stress ratings by gender. Many reported stressors dealt with violent situations. Responding to family disputes (83 %) was reported as the most frequent stressor and exposure to battered children (27 %) was the most highly rated stressor (mean rating: 67.6 +/- 35.3). Killing someone in the line of duty (mean rating: 66.3 +/- 43.0) and experiencing a fellow officer being killed (mean rating: 65.3 +/- 40.6) were highly rated but infrequent (0.27 % and 3.6 %, respectively). Male officers tended to report more frequent stressors which took away from their time off duty such as court appearances (PR = 1.26, 1.04-1.52) and working second jobs (PR = 2.37, 1.57-3.57). In contrast, female officers reported experiencing a 37 % higher prevalence of lack of support from supervisor (PR = 0.63, 0.48-0.82) relative to male officers. Results of the present study are discussed within the context of specific police stressors and gender.

Introduction: Policing involves inherent physical and psychological dangers as well as occupational stressors that could lead to chronic fatigue. Although accounts of adverse events associated with police fatigue are not scarce, literature on the association between chronic fatigue and on-duty injury are limited. Methods: Participants were officers from the Buffalo Cardio-Metabolic Occupational Police Stress (BCOPS) Study. A 10-item questionnaire was administered to assess how tired or energetic the officers generally felt irrespective of sleep hours or workload. The questionnaire consisted of five positively worded and five negatively phrased items that measured feelings of vigor/energy and tiredness, respectively. Total as well as separate scores for positive and negative items were computed by summing scores of individual items. Payroll records documenting each officer's work history were used to assess occurrence of injury. Poisson regression was used to estimate prevalence ratios (PR) of injury. Results: Nearly 40% of officers reported feeling drained. Overall prevalence of on-duty injury during the past year was 23.9%. Injury prevalence showed a significant increasing trend across tertiles of total fatigue score: 19.6, 21.7, and 30.8% for lowest, middle and highest tertiles, respectively (trend p-value = 0.037). After controlling for potential confounders, a 5-unit increase in total fatigue score was associated with a 12% increase in prevalence of injury which was marginally significant (p = 0.075). A 5-unit increase in fatigue score of the positively worded items was associated with a 33% increase in prevalence of injury (PR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.04-1.70, p = 0.022). Conclusion: Officers who do not feel active, full of vigor, alert, or lively had a significantly higher prevalence of non-fatal work place injury compared to their counter parts. Practical applications: With additional prospective evidence, workplace interventions designed to enhance level of energy may reduce feelings of tiredness and hence may prevent workplace injury.

PURPOSE: Studies describing prevalence and trends of physical activity among workers in the United States are scarce. We aimed to estimate prevalence and trends of "sufficient" leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) during the 2004-2014 time period among U.S. workers. METHODS: Data were collected for U.S. workers in the National Health Interview Survey. LTPA was categorized as sufficiently active (moderate intensity, ≥150 minutes per week), insufficiently active (10-149 minutes per week), and inactive (<10 minutes per week). Prevalence of LTPA was adjusted for age using 2010 U.S. working population as a standardized age distribution. RESULTS: Prevalence trends of "sufficient" LTPA significantly increased from 2004 to 2014 (45.6% to 54.8%; P < .001). Among industry groups, the highest prevalence of "sufficient" LTPA was observed among workers in Professional/Scientific/Technical Services (62.1%). The largest increases were observed among workers in Public Administration (51.3%-63.4%). Among occupational groups, "sufficient" LTPA prevalence was lowest in farming/fishing/forestry (30.8%) and highest in life/physical/social science (66.4%). Prevalence of LTPA significantly increased from 2004 to 2014 in most occupational and industry groups. CONCLUSIONS: Among U.S. workers, trends of "sufficient" LTPA significantly increased between 2004 and 2014. Overall, a larger proportion of white-collar compared to blue-collar workers were engaged in "sufficient" LTPA.

Background Police work is generally sedentary though there may be situations that require physical endurance and strength, such as foot chases and arresting suspects. Factors such as excessive body fat can impede the officer’s physical ability to deal with such occurrences. Our objective was to examine associations between officer’s body fat percentage (BF%) and performance on a standardized fitness protocol. Methods Data were obtained from fitness screening among 1,826 male and 115 female officers in a large U.S. police agency. The screening consisted of a 1.5-mile-run, push-ups, sit-ups, and sit-and reach test. Gender-specific body fat percentages were estimated from skinfold thickness measured using calipers. Linear regression models were used to examine unadjusted and adjusted mean scores of fitness tests across BF% tertiles. Results The prevalence of overall fitness was 4.3 times greater in male officers and 3.6 times greater in female officers having the lowest BF% tertile compared with the highest tertile (30.3% vs 7.1% and 46.0% vs 12.8%, respectively). BF% was linearly and positively associated with the time of 1.5-mile-run (p&lt;0.001), and linearly and inversely associated with the number of push-ups (p&lt;0.001), sit-ups (p&lt;0.001), and the distance of sit-and-reach (p&lt;0.001) in men. Similar associations were observed in women with the exception of sit-and-reach (p=0.122). Associations were independent of age, race/ethnicity, rank, and duty station. Conclusion Overall, BF% was inversely associated with fitness levels in male and female officers. Future longitudinal studies should be initiated to explore the potentially causal relationship between BF% and fitness in law enforcement officers.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to estimate prevalence of injury by occupation and industry and obesity's role. METHODS: Self-reported injuries were collected annually for US workers during 2004 to 2013. Prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained from fitted logistic regression models. RESULTS: Overall weighted injury prevalence during the previous three months was 77 per 10,000 workers. Age-adjusted injury prevalence was greatest for Construction and Extraction workers (169.7/10,000) followed by Production (160.6) among occupations, while workers in the Construction industry sector (147.9) had the highest injury prevalence followed by the Agriculture/Forestry/Fishing/Mining/Utilities sector (122.1). Overweight and obese workers were 26% to 45% more likely to experience injuries than normal-weight workers. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of injury, highest for Construction workers, gradually increased as body mass index levels increased in most occupational and industry groups.

BACKGROUND: Shift work and/or sleep quality may affect health. We investigated whether shift work and sleep quality, separately and jointly, were associated with abnormal levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol (TC), and low-and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in 360 police officers (27.5% women). METHODS: Triglycerides, TC, and high-density lipoprotein were analyzed on the Abbott Architect; low-density lipoprotein was calculated. Shift work was assessed using City of Buffalo payroll work history records. Sleep quality (good, ≤5; intermediate, 6–8; poor, ≥9) was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire. A shift work + sleep quality variable was created: day plus good sleep; day plus poor sleep; afternoon/night plus good; and poor sleep quality. Mean values of lipid biomarkers were compared across categories of the exposures using analysis of variance/analysis of covariance. RESULTS: Shift work was not significantly associated with lipids. However, as sleep quality worsened, mean levels of triglycerides and TC gradually increased but only among female officers (age- and race-adjusted p = 0.013 and 0.030, respectively). Age significantly modified the association between sleep quality and TC. Among officers ≥40 years old, those reporting poor sleep quality had a significantly higher mean level of TC (202.9 ± 3.7 mg/dL) compared with those reporting good sleep quality (190.6 ± 4.0 mg/dL) (gender- and race-adjusted p = 0.010). Female officers who worked the day shift and also reported good sleep quality had the lowest mean level of TC compared with women in the other three categories (p = 0.014). CONCLUSION: Sleep quality and its combined influence with shift work may play a role in the alteration of some lipid measures.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of obesity and the change of prevalence of obesity between 2004-2007 and 2008-20011 by occupation among US workers in the National Health Interview Survey. METHODS: Self-reported weight and height were collected and used to assess obesity (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m). Gender-, race/ethnicity-, and occupation-specific prevalence of obesity were calculated. RESULTS: Prevalence of obesity steadily increased from 2004 through 2008 across gender and race/ethnicity but leveled off from 2008 through 2011. Non-Hispanic black female workers in health care support (49.2%) and transportation/material moving (46.6%) had the highest prevalence of obesity. Prevalence of obesity in relatively low-obesity (white-collar) occupations significantly increased between 2004-2007 and 2008-2011, whereas it did not change significantly in high-obesity (blue-collar) occupations. CONCLUSIONS: Workers in all occupational categories are appropriate targets for health promotion and intervention programs to reduce obesity.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to examine the association of objectively measured and self-reported sleep duration with carotid artery intima media thickness (IMT) among 257 police officers, a group at high risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). METHODS: Sleep duration was estimated using actigraphic data and through self-reports. The mean maximum IMT was the average of the largest 12 values scanned bilaterally from three angles of the near and far wall of the common carotid, bulb, and internal carotid artery. Linear and quadratic regression models were used to assess the association of sleep duration with IMT. RESULTS: Officers who had fewer than 5 or 8 hr or more of objectively measured sleep duration had significantly higher maximum IMT values, independent of age. Self-reported sleep duration was not associated with either IMT measure. CONCLUSION: Attainment of sufficient sleep duration may be considered as a possible strategy for atherosclerosis prevention among police officers.

OBJECTIVE: To examine relations of shift work with occupational, sports, and household physical activity (PA) among police officers. METHODS: Self-reported PA was assessed among 350 male and female officers (aged 27 to 66). Day, afternoon, or midnight shift was identified from daily payroll records. RESULTS: Shift work was associated with prevalence of hard-intensity (occupational and sport) PA among men, and very hard-intensity sport PA among women, with afternoon workers reporting the highest prevalence. Shift work was independently associated with total hours of hard-intensity PA among men and very hard-intensity PA among women, with afternoon workers reporting the most hours. CONCLUSION: Results indicated that hard and very hard-intensity PA varied significantly across shifts with afternoon workers being the most active.