Self-reported cardiac risks and interest in risk modification among volunteer firefighters: a survey-based study.
BACKGROUND
Coronary heart disease causes approximately 45% of firefighter deaths annually. Although firefighters have clinically significant cardiac risks, a paucity of research and data exists.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate firefighters' cardiac risk factors as well as their motivation to resolve these risk factors.


METHODS
During a 3-month period, volunteer firefighters representing the 79 fire departments serving Nassau and Suffolk counties in Long Island, NY, were asked to complete a nonvalidated, 19-item questionnaire regarding their health habits, medical history, and demographics.


RESULTS
A total of 730 surveys were returned among a potential study population of 20,590 volunteer firefighters. More than three-quarters of respondents met the criteria for being overweight or obese, and nearly 40% reported having high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or both. Most respondents expressed at least some interest in attending a fire department-sponsored health lecture and participating in a fitness program.


CONCLUSIONS
Firefighters expressed desire to learn more about risk factor modifications and have fire departments take a more active role in helping firefighters improve their health. The effectiveness of resources and intervention programs should be assessed.
Scanlon
Patrick
P
New York College of Osteopathic Medicine of New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, USA.
Ablah
Elizabeth
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005390:Fires; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D016272:Occupational Health; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D014838:Volunteers / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult