A Scoping Review of Firefighters' Health Behaviors and Chronic Diseases

Abstract

Objectives: Due to exposure to carcinogenic agents, firefighters are at increased risk for chronic diseases (e. g., cancer). It is unclear how much research has focused on firefighters' health behaviors that also could also contribute to firefighters' disease risk. In this scoping review, we aimed to (1) determine how much research has examined firefighters' health behaviors and (2) determine how many studies have assessed the association between health behaviors and chronic diseases. Methods: We searched electronic databases (e. g., PubMed/MEDLINE). We included studies if they measured at least one health behavior (diet, tobacco use, physical activity, sleep, alcohol consumption), regardless of assessing chronic diseases. We noted if the study included chronic diseases and if it examined an association between health behavior and chronic disease. Results: Overall, 126 articles were included that measured at least one health behavior. Physical activity and diet were the most studied health behaviors. About half of the studies included a chronic disease. Of those studies, 26 examined associations between the health behavior(s) and chronic diseases. Conclusions: There is a growing literature examining health behaviors among firefighters. This information can inform intervention development.