UN: 840,000 People Die Each Year from Work-Related Stress-Linked Diseases

More than 840,000 people die each year from diseases associated with psychosocial risks at work — including long working hours, job insecurity, and workplace harassment — according to a new report by the International Labour Organization (ILO), a specialized agency of the United Nations.

The report notes that occupational psychosocial risks are primarily linked to cardiovascular diseases and mental health disorders, including suicide, Euronews reports.

“Psychosocial risks are becoming one of the most serious challenges for occupational safety and health in the modern world of work,” said Manal Azzi, head of policy and systems for occupational safety and health (OSH) at the ILO.

“Improving the psychosocial work environment is essential not only to protect workers’ mental and physical health, but also to enhance productivity, organizational efficiency, and sustainable economic development,” she added.

Work shapes identity, social connections, and economic security, and the way it is designed and organized determines whether it is manageable and well-resourced — or whether excessive demands, unclear roles, and a sense of injustice will cause harm.

According to the report, these health risks lead to nearly 45 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost annually, while the combined impact of cardiovascular diseases and mental disorders is estimated to cost 1.37% of global GDP each year.

In Europe alone, the ILO reports 112,333 deaths, nearly six million DALYs lost, and a loss of 1.43% of GDP.

Cardiovascular diseases account for the majority of deaths linked to these risks; however, the total loss of healthy life years is higher in the case of mental disorders, the authors note.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression and anxiety disorders result in approximately 12 billion lost working days each year.

The most common conditions include depression, anxiety disorders, burnout, sleep disturbances, and chronic fatigue.

Mental health problems can also lead to physical harm, as individuals often resort to unhealthy coping strategies to deal with stress and fatigue.

Smoking, alcohol consumption, overeating, and a sedentary lifestyle driven by workplace stress can contribute to obesity, hypertension, and other chronic diseases.

“Available evidence also suggests that health-related behaviors and psychosocial risks reinforce each other over time: unhealthy habits entrench and amplify the adverse health effects of psychosocial stress,” the report states.

“It is important to remember that long working hours — a critical psychosocial risk factor associated with an increased likelihood of cardiovascular disease and stroke — remain widespread,” the authors emphasize.

According to ILO estimates, 35% of workers worldwide work more than 48 hours per week.

A WHO study found that working 55 hours or more per week is associated with a roughly 35% higher risk of stroke and a 17% higher risk of death from ischemic heart disease compared to a 35–40 hour workweek.

Bullying and other forms of harassment and violence are also identified as serious issues.

The report notes that 23% of workers globally have experienced at least one form of violence or harassment during their working lives, with psychological violence being the most common (18%).

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