Future Care, Inc. announced the commencement of a pilot study of the health of seafarers around the world, in collaboration with the Yale Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program.Using Future Care's unique experience as internationally recognized managed care specialists for seafarers and its extensive database drawn from its Caring for the Crew? program, the study will focus on injury and acute illness in seamen, a unique group for which there is little available health information.

Seafarers around the world suffer from both minor ailments and life-threatening emergencies, frequently while in the middle of the ocean, far from any health care facilities and medical professionals. Greater understanding of the factors that predict these injuries and illnesses should enable both increased prevention and better treatment of health issues on board.

Dr. Carrie Redlich, MD, MPH, Professor of Medicine, Occupational Health, Environmental Medicine, and Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, said, "A better understanding of seafarers illnesses and injuries should lead to improved preventive and therapeutic treatment for this unique group of workers, and to substantial cost savings within the industry, similar to the benefits yielded from similar approaches in other industries."

Christina Desimone, CEO of Future Care, Inc. commented, "There are 1.2 million seafarers worldwide, whose work is critical to the international transport underlying modern commerce. We are very excited to embark on this study, which will enable us to better understand illness and injury aboard ship, and allow us to take steps to improve the health and safety of these working men and women."

Source: Future Care, Inc