Are heart disease and cancer killing law enforcement officers at a younger age?

The Canton Repository localized a national study that found law enforcement officers tend to die younger than the general population. Published in The Lancet Regional Health ‒ Americas journal, the study suggests the psychological demands of policing may accelerate long-term health risk.

J.C. Barnes, director of UC’s School of Criminal justice, co-authored the study which focused on first responders — the officers who show up when people call for help.  The study’s lead author was Peter Tanksley, a UC graduate and research scientist at Texas State University.

The Canton Repository reports that the key study findings show officers die from the same major causes as the public, just earlier, with the difference emerging in their mid-40s. Officers have a higher mortality from heart disease, cancers, suicide, and, during the pandemic years, COVID-19.

Cancer was the leading cause of death among female law enforcement officers and circulatory conditions were the leading causes of death among male law enforcement officers, The Canton Repository reports. 

Local police departments are implementing wellness programs to address the physical and mental stress of the job, reports The Canton Repository. Local police chiefs shared anecdotal stories of early deaths from law enforcement officers who were family members or colleagues in their departments.

Read the full story on The Canton Repository website.

Featured top image of a police officer. Photo/Istock.