The University of Manchester

Academic Institute

OFHS260127

The study's aims are to assess the risk of asthma in night shift workers and to understand if biological sex and natural body clock play a role. Analysis of 280,000 UK Biobank participants reveals that permanent night shift work increases the likelihood of moderate-to-severe asthma by 36%, especially in females. Research indicates that a mismatch between your body clock and your daily schedule, particularly for female "morning larks," drives this increased risk, driving the need for further investigation into the roles of sex hormones and chronotype ('morning larks' or 'night owls') via the "Our Future Health" dataset.

This research directly benefits the public by addressing the respiratory risks of shift work through the following impacts: Clinical and Patient Benefits: Targeted Screening: Identifies high-risk individuals—specifically female night-shift workers with morning chronotypes—allowing Occupational Health teams to screen for asthma earlier. Improved Disease Management: Helps existing asthma patients understand how their work schedules might be triggering or worsening their symptoms. Workplace and Public Health Benefits Healthier Shift Scheduling: Provides scientific evidence for employers to design safer shift rotations that minimise circadian disruption. Occupational Health Policies: Informs new workplace guidelines and risk assessments to protect vulnerable employees from developing chronic respiratory conditions. Public Awareness: Empowers night-shift workers to recognize early symptoms and make informed choices about their health and career paths.

Public Health Research

03/09/2026

26/08/2026

TRE