It is important to understand the impact of industry fluctuations on fishery workers’ health and safety and to develop tailored solutions for supporting fishermen’s well-being.
US commercial fisheries workers are not only exposed to some of the most hazardous workplace conditions, with one of the highest occupational fatality rates of any industry, but they also experience:
- Some of the worst health outcomes
- Barriers to accessing healthcare
- High rates of Musculoskeletal pain, which can lead to addiction to painkillers
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Lack of access to healthcare coverage
- Lack of understanding of their unique health needs
These health issues are integrally linked to safety, as depressed or ill workers, absenteeism, and increased workloads can lead to presenteeism (lost productivity due to illness), distraction, fatigue, and decreased ability to problem-solve, all of which impact safety and well-being.
Project Description
Project Area
In response to fishermen’s concerns about barriers to healthcare access, the Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety (NEC) is working with local Stonington community partners to develop a fishermen’s health and wellness pilot program. Lobster and intertidal fishermen in this community will be invited to participate in the development and improvement of this unique health and wellness pilot program. Though the program will be piloted in Stonington, fishermen from Vinalhaven and Stonington are invited to participate in free comprehensive health assessments.
Project Goals
Understand the impact of industry volatility on fishermen’s health
Launch a Community / Hospital partnership to develop a fishermen’s wellness program
Evaluate the impact the partnership has on healthcare access and the wellbeing of fishermen
Share this information back to other coastal communities to support similar initiatives
Benefit to Fishing Communities
Initially, a randomly selected group of commercial lobstermen and intertidal fishermen aged 18 and over who work in the Stonington and Vinalhaven will be offered free, comprehensive health assessments with occupational clinicians. Additionally, the project will assess the feasibility of developing a fisheries-specific wellbeing program in Stonington. If successful, the approach could be used in other coastal communities.
Participation in health assessments would involve:
A free and comprehensive one-hour health assessment from a doctor, nurse and / or medical tech at a convenient time and location:
- measuring height/weight
- taking blood pressure
- measuring cholesterol
- assessing risk for diabetes (A1C)
- measuring respiratory (breathing) health
- physical exam
- discussion and counseling, as well as a ‘Health Score Card’ to save information
- two quick surveys on your overall health, barriers to care, and health concerns
[Benefit to you: A free health screening worth $600 and a $50 gift card for your participation]
Participants may also have the opportunity to share their perceptions of fishermen’s barriers to well-being and what a wellness program for fishermen should look like.
Another free and comprehensive one-hour health assessment from a doctor, nurse and / or medical tech at a convenient time and location:
- measuring height/weight
- taking blood pressure
- measuring cholesterol
- assessing risk for diabetes (A1C)
- measuring respiratory (breathing) health
- physical exam
- discussion and counseling, as well as a ‘Health Score Card’ to save information
- two quick surveys on your overall health, barriers to care, and health concerns
[Benefit to you: A free health screening worth $600 and a $50 gift card for your participation]
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