AH-EXT-211

Our society depends on people who work at night. Many frontline workers, including police officers, work night shifts, irregular schedules, and long hours. These patterns disrupt sleep and the body’s internal clock, which can increase the risk of health problems such as heart disease, cancer, and mental health conditions. Police work also involves stressful and sometimes traumatic experiences, meaning officers may face even higher health risks than other shift workers. This project will use data from thousands of police officers in the UK to understand how shift work affects long-term health. First, we will study whether different types of shift work increase the risk of developing diseases over time. We will also look at how working night shifts more regularly or for more years affects this relationship. Then, we will examine which work-related, lifestyle, and biological factors make some officers more likely to develop sleep and mental health problems. The results will inform workplace policies and help us support shift workers though early prevention of disease and personal health recommendations