Male seafarers more likely to die from heart disease
Men over 45 working at sea have a higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease than other working Danes, according to a new study.
A new study from the University of Southern Denmark shows that male seafarers face an elevated risk of death from cardiovascular disease compared to other working-age Danes.
The study, carried out by the Research Unit of Maritime Health and Technology, is based on registry data from 1993 to 2016. More than 52,000 seafarers were included in the analysis, and men over the age of 45 stood out in particular with increased mortality rates.
– Seafarers work under very specific conditions that can affect their health both in terms of lifestyle and working environment, says Anna Bøge, PhDstudent and lead author of the study.
– Previous research has shown that seafarers generally have poorer health than other working populations. That’s why we wanted to investigate how this applies specifically to cardiovascular disease.
Tough working conditions and limited access to healthcare
Seafarers are exposed to a number of health risks through their work: long shifts, night work, noise, vibrations, and limited access to healthy food, exercise and medical care.
– They spend long periods at sea, often isolated from their families and social networks. At the same time, they don’t have the same access to the healthcare system – and when illness strikes, help can be far away, explains Anna Bøge.
– Lifestyle factors such as diet, physical activity and smoking are also a challenge in the maritime environment, where access to healthy choices is often limited.
Excess mortality among men – but not women
Men between the ages of 45 and 65 have a 27% higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease compared to other working men, according to the study. For men over 65, the risk increases to 34%. The increased risk applies to both passenger ferry and cargo ship workers and relates mainly to conditions such as ischaemic heart disease, stroke and other vascular diseases.
Interestingly, there was no corresponding increased risk among female seafarers.
– There may be several explanations, says Anna Bøge.
– Men and women often have different roles on board and therefore face different types of strain. It may also reflect differences in lifestyle. At the same time, the number of female seafarers is still relatively low, which makes it harder to obtain statistically reliable results.
Meet the researcher
Anna Bøge is a PhD student at the Research Unit of Maritime Health and Technology (MHT), Department of Public Health.
Key findings from the study
During the study period (1993–2016), women were primarily recruited to service-related tasks on passenger vessels, including cooking, cleaning and maintaining the crew and passenger cabins. This gendered division of labour reflects a longstanding tradition where women typically held caregiving and service roles, while operational and technical roles on board remained male-dominated.
Only in recent years has this started to change, with more women entering core maritime functions – a development that may reflect changing recruitment strategies, greater focus on diversity, and the gradual dismantling of earlier gender-segregated structures.
Key findings from the study
- Over 52,000 seafarers included in the study (1993–2016)
- Men aged 45–65: 27% higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease
- Men over 65: 34% higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease
- No increased risk among female seafarers
- The risk applies to employees on both passenger and cargo shipsIschaemic heart disease, stroke and other vascular conditions are the main causes
Need for prevention and health promotion
The study highlights the need for special focus on this occupational group – from employers, authorities and the seafarers themselves.
– It’s important to create an environment that enables healthy living – even at sea, stresses Anna Bøge.
– Seafarers often have limited access to healthy food, exercise and medical care, and we need to take that seriously. Better working conditions, health promotion efforts and support for lifestyle changes could make a significant difference.
Researchers continue to investigate seafarers' health
The study paves the way for further research, both into risk factors and into potential interventions to improve the health of seafarers.
– There’s a need for more research, especially into prevention and interventions that can improve seafarers’ health, says Anna Bøge.
– It’s important to find solutions that are realistic and tailored to the maritime working life. We’re currently investigating how seafarers return to work after experiencing cardiovascular disease.
About the study
The study was published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine and conducted by researchers from the University of Southern Denmark: Anna Uhd Bøge, Sören Möller, Rune Lindahl-Jacobsen, Lisa Loloma Froholdt, Kimmo Herttua og Linda Juel Ahrenfeldt.
Anna Uhd Bøge et al. Cardiovascular mortality among seafarers: a Danish nationwide cohort study. Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2025; 82: 69–75.