Police officers face numerous occupational hazards that can negatively impact their physical and mental health. These include exposure to air pollution, noise pollution, risk of injuries on duty, and psychological stress from demanding work schedules and interactions with the public. Long work hours and job pressures can increase risks of health issues like hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, insomnia, obesity, and mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated these risks due to increased exposure while enforcing public health measures. Preventive health through fitness, nutrition, stress management and screening/treatment programs is important to support police officer well-being and safety.

1. Police Health Care
and Pandemic
Prof. Dr. Sundararajaperumal Anandakrishnan
Director
Institute Of Thoracic Medicine
Madras Medical College & Rajiv Gandhi
Government General Hospital
Chennai, TN, India

2. What to expect ?
• What is Health?
• Police Health
• Physically FIT
• Pollution related Health issues
• Occupational Hazards – Mental Health
issues
• Non-Communicable Disease
• Pandemic
• Habits
• Preventive Health

3. What is Health? … Police Health???
• Police are a constituted body of persons, with the aim to enforce the law, to
ensure the safety, health, and possessions of citizens, and to prevent crime
and civil disorder
• Human Health is a state of complete physical, mental, social, and spiritual
well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity
Work environment constitutes an important part of human’s total
environment, so health to a large extent is influenced by work conditions
Though several types of environment exist, it is the physical environment,
which plays an important bearing on health
Air, noise, heat, radiation, etc., are the main sites of environment pollution;
this is more so in urban areas

4. Police Service
• The Indian Police Service is one of
the most reputed services in India
as enshrined in the Indian
Constitution with the motto “To
Protect and to Serve”
• Police face many challenges related
to occupational health and their
personal as well as safety of their
family that can affect their physical,
mental, and interpersonal
relationships

5. Pros and cons of being
a POLICE
• Position of a Police is extremely self-rewarding
• Social backbone, and someone that people can trust
• Saving lives
• Concerned with improving relations with community
and safeguarding human rights
• Demanding career
• Nature of the job means that each day is extremely
varied and will bring new challenges to be overcome
• Another benefit is for people who love adventures and
challenges

6. • Tremendous workload
• Lot of pressure
• No regular holidays
• Risk of being injured or bruised, or being attacked
on duty
• Deprivation of recognition and acknowledgment,
• Insufficient time with the family
• Uncertainty of position, and general negative
perception are some of the aspects that influence
psychological stress and burning out
• Indulge in habits

7. Physical Fitness
• Physical fitness is a state of health and well-being and,
more specifically, the ability to perform aspects of sports,
occupations and daily activities.
• Physical fitness is generally achieved through
proper nutrition, moderate-vigorous physical
exercise, and sufficient rest along with a formal recovery
plan

8. Pollution Health Issues
• Pollution is the introduction of
contaminants into the natural environment
that cause adverse change.
• Pollution can take the form of any
substance (solid, liquid, or gas) or energy
(such as radioactivity, heat, sound, or light).
• Pollutants, the components of pollution,
can be either foreign substances/energies or
naturally occurring contaminant

9. AIR POLLUTION
• Air pollution is the contamination of air due to the
presence of substances in the atmosphere that are
harmful to the health of humans and other living beings,
or cause damage to the climate or to materials.
• It is also the contamination of indoor or outdoor
surrounding either by chemical activities, physical or
biological agents that alters the natural features of the
atmosphere. There are many different types of air
pollutants, such as gases (including ammonia, carbon
monoxide, sulphurdioxide, nitrousoxides, methane,
• carbondioxide and chlorofluorocarbons), particulates
(both organic and inorganic), and biological molecules.
Air pollution can cause diseases, allergies, and even
death to humans

10. Effects of Air Pollution on
Human Life and Health
• Air pollution is a significant risk
factor for a number of pollution-
related diseases,
including respiratory
infections, heart
disease, COPD, stroke and lung
cancer.

12. Chronic
Obstructive
Pulmonary
Disease
COPD – Group of lung disease
which blocks airway and
makes breathing difficult.

13. Asthma
• Asthma is a long-term condition
affecting children and adults. The
air passages in the lungs become
narrow due to inflammation and
tightening of the muscles around
the small airways. This causes
asthma symptoms such as cough,
wheeze, shortness of breath and
chest tightness

14. Air Pollution

15. Occupational hazards
 Constantly pressurizing environment which
susceptible to a variety of non-
communicable diseases and cardiovascular
problems at a very young age.
 Cops are at a higher risk of high blood
pressure (BP), insomnia, increased levels of
destructive stress hormones, heart
problems, and post-traumatic stress disorder
due to constant job pressures.
 Round-the-clock service, insufficient time
with the family, hostile communication with
others, abuse, the uncertainty of position,
and general negative perception are some of
the aspects that influence psychological
stress and burning out. Adapted from https://blog.ipleaders.in/hazards-police-service/. As accessed on 14th april 2023.

16. TRAUMA SIGNS,
SYMPTOMS AND
RESILIENCE IN
POLICING
 Repeated exposure to trauma experienced by
police personnel to be associated with an
increased risk of mental health problems.
These problems included 14.6% depression,
14.2% PTSD, 25% at a high risk of drinking
above the recommended levels of alcohol and
9.6% experiencing generalised anxiety.
 Mental health stigma can make police officers
vulnerable to developing more serious mental
health problems due to a delay in seeking help.
Grover S et al. Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Duties During Lockdown on Police Personnel and Their Perception About the Behavior of the People: an Exploratory Study from India. Int J Ment

17. MENTAL HEALTH IN THE PANDEMIC
Adapted from https://phfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Training-Manual-COVID-19_BPSPA.pdf. As accessed on 14th April 2023.

18. MENTAL HEALTH IN THE PANDEMIC
Adapted from https://phfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Training-Manual-COVID-19_BPSPA.pdf. As accessed on 14th April 2023.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has
launched the 24x7 Toll-Free Mental Health
Rehabilitation Helpline “KIRAN” (1800-
500-0019) to provide relief and support to

19. Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder
• Also known as PTSD
• This is a mentaI health condition
triggered by traumatic events
• PTSD differs from each patient
• Symptoms of PTSD usually
develop within hours to days
following the event

20. Recommended Treatments
• Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral
therapy: Helps with replacing irrational, bad
thoughts and making them more balanced.
• Family Therapy: PTSD affects you and
everyone close to you. Family therapy helps
loved ones understand what your going
through and helps with communication.
• Medication: Usually described to relieve
symptoms that come along with the PTSD,
such as depression or anxiety. Prozac and
Zoloft are commonly used in PTSD
medications.

21. Police Health
Major part of their life is subject to a constantly
pressurizing environment which makes them susceptible
to a variety of non-communicable diseases and
cardiovascular problems at a very young age.
• High blood pressure (BP),
• Insomnia, increased levels of destructive stress
hormones
• Coronary Artery Diseases
• Diabetes Mellitus / Metabolic syndromes
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Obesity
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea

22. Hypertension /
High BP
• Any value above 140mmHg in a healthy
adult considered as High BP
• Causes of Hypertension
• Thickness or hardening of the arteries
due to deposit of calcium
• Kidney disease
• Stress : Physical, Social , or Professional
• Smoking
• Heredity

23. Hypertension
• Symptoms of Hypertension
• Headache , Throbbing of head,
• Tiredness, fatigue, palpitation
• Prevention
• Mild exercise
• Avoiding beverages
• Reduce salt

24. Heart Attack
• What is Heart attack ?
• Warning signs ?
• Risk Factors ?
• Modifiable
• Non – Modifiable
• Prevention

25. Diabetes Mellitus
• What is Diabetes Mellitus ?
• Types
• Risk factors

26. Signs and
Symptoms

27. Metabolic syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is an accumulation
of several disorders, which together raise
the risk of an individual developing
atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease,
insulin resistance, and diabetes mellitus,
and vascular and neurological
complications such as a cerebrovascular
accident.
Adapted from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459248/. As accessed on 14th April 2023.

28. Metabolic disarrangement becomes a syndrome if
the patient has any three of the following
 Waist circumference more than 40 inches in men and 35
inches in women
 Elevated triglycerides 150 milligrams per deciliter of blood
(mg/dL) or greater
 Reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) less
than 40 mg/dL in men or less than 50 mg/dL in women
 Elevated fasting glucose of l00 mg/dL or greater
 Blood pressure values of systolic 130 mmHg or higher
and/or diastolic 85 mmHg or higher
Adapted from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459248/. As accessed on 14th April 2023.

29. Etiology
The underlying etiology of metabolic syndrome is
extra weight, obesity, lack of physical activity, and
genetic predisposition.
The crux of the syndrome is a buildup of fat tissue
and tissue dysfunction that in turn leads to insulin
resistance.
Adapted from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459248/. As accessed on 14th April 2023.

30. Metabolic complication
Adapted from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459248/. As accessed on 14th April 2023.
Patients with metabolic complications can
develop a wide range of complications including
heart disease, aortic stenosis, atrial fibrillation,
stroke, and even thromboembolic disease.
In addition, other problems associated with
metabolic syndrome include a risk for
malignancies of the kidney, gallbladder, colon and
even the prostate gland. Further, the metabolic
syndrome may also increase the risk of eclampsia
and affect cognitive performance.

31. Insomnia / Sleeplessness
• What is Insomnia ?
• Why Insomnia ?
•Insomnia due to mental disorder :
most often anxiety or depression.
•Insomnia due to a medical condition:
most often chronic pain or sleep apnea.
•Insomnia due to drug or substance: may be
due to intoxication or withdrawal from
over-the-counter, prescription or illicit
substances.
•Work pattern
•Complications
•How to Manage ?

32. Obesity
• The definition of obesity is a medical condition in
which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent
that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading
to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health
problems.
• It differs from being overweight in that to be
overweight is when you weigh more than the
standard weight for a specific body type and obese is
an excessive amount of body fat and at least ten
percent over standard weight.

34. Alcohol use Disorder
• Alcoholism is the inability to control drinking due
to both a physical and emotional dependence on
alcohol.
• Symptoms include repeated alcohol consumption
despite related legal and health issues. Those with
alcoholism may begin each day with a drink, feel
guilty about their drinking and have the desire to
cut down on the amount of drinking
Oh! When will They Get Rid of Alcohol?

35. Alcohol use Disorder

36. Alcohol use Disorder
• Feel of guilt or shame about the habit
• Lie to others or hide the habit of
drinking
• Black out or forget what they did while
they drank

37. • Health E(A)ffects
• Brain
• Liver
• Pancreas
• Stomach

38. Myths
about the
Alcoholism

39. • Behavioral therapies: Counseling, or talk therapy, with a healthcare provider like a psychologist or mental
health counselor can teach ways to change the behavior. Motivational, cognitive-behavioral, contingency and
12-step facilitation are the most commonly used techniques.
• Medications: The U.S. FDA has approved naltrexone and acamprosate for the treatment of alcohol use
disorder. Topiramate and gabapentin can also decrease cravings in some people. An older medication —
disulfiram — is now used only rarely. These medications seem to help decrease the background obsessional
thinking around alcohol.
• Support groups: Group meetings with other people who have alcohol use disorder can help you stay sober.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings are usually free and are available in most communities.

40. Smoking
• Smoking is a practice in which a
substance is burned and the
resulting smoke is typically breathed
in to be tasted and absorbed into
the bloodstream. Most commonly,
the substance used is the dried
leaves of the tobacco plant, which
have been rolled into a small
rectangle of rolling paper to create a
small, round cylinder called
a cigarette

41. Cigarette Smoke

42. • Halitosis
• Lung Cancer
• Memory Loss
• Premature ageing
• Low sperm count
• Emphysema
• COPD
• Wrinkles

43. Smoking Cessation

44. Quit Smoking Timeline

45. SMOKING DOUBLES
YOUR RISK OF
RESPIRTORY
INFECTION INCLUDING
COVID

46. Pneumonia

47. Tuberculosis

48. After the
pandemic is
before the
Pandemic !
• Increase in pandemics over the last 30 years is bound to continue
• 75% of infectious disease outbreaks originated in animals
• Reasons: Erasing the buffer between wildlife and civilization
- Deforestation
- Destruction of eco-systems leading to loss of biodiversity
- Wildlife trade
- Factory farming
ALL of these practices increase likelihood of a jump of pathogens across species
Need for fundamental societal changes , must not go back to business as usual”
“ONE HEALTH” approach necessary

49. TYPES OF PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS
 Curfew – regulates times during which a person is required to stay
indoors.
 Social distancing – maintaining distance between people to avoid the
spread of disease.
 Quarantine – restricts the movement of people who are presumed to have
been exposed to disease agent but are not ill either because they are still
in incubation period or have very mild symptoms or did not become
infected with the disease.
 Self-quarantine – the voluntary act of putting oneself in quarantine.
 Isolation – separates sick people from those who are not.
 Shelter-in-place (stay at home) – requires individuals stay in a safe, non-
Adapted from https://phfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Training-Manual-COVID-19_BPSPA.pdf. As accessed on 14th April 2023.

50. PANDEMIC – COVID
19
 The COVID-19 has had a dramatic effect
on the lives of people throughout the
world. The size and duration of the
pandemic have placed a strain on the
mental health of front-line workers where
there is a high exposure to the disease
together and a requirement to work in
close contact with other.
 Police play an important role in
protecting the community. During the
COVID-19 pandemic, their role has posed
a serious threat to their physical and
Grover S et al. Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Duties During Lockdown on Police Personnel and Their Perception About the Behavior of the People: an Exploratory Study from India. Int J Ment

51. ROLE OF POLICE
 Protecting the public from harm, dealing with civil
unrest and investigating crime as well as dealing with the
additional challenges of responding to the emerging
COVID-19 demands.
 Neighbour hood and response police officers working at
street level carry the responsibility of achieving public
compliance to social distancing, mask wearing and
restricted social gatherings through their powers of
persuasion rather than the threat of enforcement.
 Despite the provision of personal protective equipment
(PPE), police officers are frequently required to be in close
proximity to other people, for example, when making an
arrest or dealing with a confused or lost member of the
Grover S et al. Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Duties During Lockdown on Police Personnel and Their Perception About the Behavior of the People: an Exploratory Study from India. Int J Ment

52. PREVENTIVE HEALTH

53. PREVENTIVE HEALTH

55. PREVENTIVE HEALTH
Reducing the major risk
factors for non-communicable
diseases (NCDs) – tobacco use,
physical inactivity, unhealthy
diet and the harmful use of
alcohol.
To help yourself relax, try
yoga, positive imagery (for
example, picturing yourself in
a pleasant place), and alternate
tensing and relaxing of
muscles.

56. CONCLUSION
Police officers form a large professional community that
operates continuously in challenging conditions
As social problems affect society, the state faces
new challenges, new demands are made for it and
it is exposed to new attacks, the police force has to
be reformed
Even before the pressure becomes severe, tailor-made programs that develop
effective coping strategies such as stress reduction workshops, yoga classes, and
many other programs should be arranged regularly for the police according to
gender, position, and job style.
In addition to a hazard monitoring system for tracking the risks of occupational injury
and disease among police officers, diseases and mortality are yet to be developed

57. STAY Healthy
Thank You

58. PREVENTIVE HEALTH