Strokes & heart disease | Working long hours killing over 700,000 people a year

A study has revealed that more than 700,000 people around the world are dying every year because they are working lengthy hours – Sky News reported.

World Health Organisation (WHO) researchers estimated that in 2016, almost three-quarters of a million (745,000) people died from strokes and heart disease associated with working 55 hours or more per week. This is said to be circa 30% more than in 2000.

“Working 55 hours or more per week is a serious health hazard…what we want to do with this information is promote more action, more protection of workers,” Maria Neira, Director of the WHO’s Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health told the publication.

72% of the victims were men who were middle-aged and above, with the study indicating that they often died years after they had worked the long hours.