WHO warns of risk of fatal illnesses due to overtime

When the workweek increases to 55 hours or more, the risk of stroke increases by 35% and death from coronary heart disease by 17%, this data is contained in a report of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labor Organization (ILO).

According to the study, working 55 hours or more per week is associated with an estimated 35% increased risk of stroke, and 17% increased risk of death from coronary heart disease, compared to a workweek of 35-40 hours, the study says.

The report states that 398,000 people died of a stroke and 347,000 died of heart disease in 2016 because they “worked at least 55 hours a week”.

It notes that from 2000 to 2016, overwork-related stroke deaths increased by 19% and heart disease deaths by 42%.

Men are most severely affected by overwork, accounting for 72% of all deaths. According to experts, the total number of people in the world who regularly encounter recycling is 9% of the world’s population.