Concern About Lower Life Expectancy Among Reasons For New Wellness Program For Steamboat Police

https://lris.com/2019/04/29/concern-about-lower-life-expectancy-among-reasons-for-new-wellness-program-for-steamboat-police/

April 29, 2019

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Emergency responders like police officers and firefighters put themselves on the frontlines of traumatic situations as part of their daily duties.

Years in the field responding to shootings, burn victims and other high-stress incidents can take a heavy toll on their physical and mental health.

That is why the Steamboat Springs Police Department is implementing new wellness initiatives, including a peer support program inspired by Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue, to keep officers healthy and safe.

This comes as recent research shows emergency responders suffer higher rates of heart disease and suicide than people in other professions.

A 2013 study published by the National Institutes of Health found the average life expectancy of a police officer to be 57, almost 22 years younger than the general population.

As Steamboat Police Chief Cory Christensen explained, police work is often not conducive to a healthy lifestyle for officers.

“The world is stressful for them, whether it’s dealing with a domestic violence situation to neighbor problems to someone upset about parking,” he said.

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