ABQ Times

Barbara Harding, a researcher at the University of New Mexico's College of Population Health, is investigating how night shift work and artificial lighting affect human health. As part of a multi-center study involving healthcare workers and bus operators in Spain, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark, Harding aims to understand the impact of night shifts on cardiometabolic health.

"Our research is filling a critical gap in providing epidemiologic data to help us understand how night shift work impacts cardiometabolic health, aging and mental health," said Harding. The European Union-funded Exposome Project for Health and Occupational Research (EPHOR) Night Shift Study collects biomarker data from both night and day shift workers to explore disrupted circadian rhythms' physiological effects.

Preliminary findings show that night shift workers have elevated BMI and waist-to-hip ratios compared to their day-shift counterparts. "We've known that night shift workers experience higher rates of cardiometabolic diseases," noted Harding. The study further investigates these outcomes through analyses based on gender and specific characteristics like shift duration.

The HORMONIT study has already provided insights into changes in melatonin production among rotating night shift workers. "Understanding these biological pathways allows us to develop targeted lifestyle interventions for disease prevention," Harding added.

Harding also examines the effects of artificial light at night (ALAN). Her 2024 paper published in the American Journal of Epidemiology linked higher ALAN exposure with increased cardiovascular risks. Blue light was found particularly disruptive to circadian rhythms.

Beyond cardiovascular concerns, her research extends into cancer outcomes influenced by blue light exposure. Harding recently chaired an occupational epidemiology conference committee, showing her dedication to advancing this field.

“Our goal is to translate our findings into broader applications for sleep health and light hygiene in the general population," she concluded.