Health Conditions and Health Care Access Among Filipino Men in the Cruise Line Industry: A Scoping Review

Filipino men form a substantial proportion of the global seafaring workforce, particularly in the cruise line industry. The psychosocial, occupational, and environmental conditions influence their health, presenting challenges that are overlooked and unacknowledged and necessitating a systematic mapping of their health conditions and health care access. This scoping review aims to map the literature on the health conditions of Filipino men working in cruise lines to (1) describe prevalent health conditions; (2) identify mental health issues; (3) summarize the psychosocial, occupational, and environmental factors influencing health; (4) explore facilitators and barriers to health care access; and (5) characterize initiatives, interventions, and support systems. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Scoping Reviews methodology was utilized and reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and relevant maritime health databases were searched from January 2010 to August 2025. In total, 20 publications were included. Filipino men working in cruise lines face a wide range of risk factors for physical and mental health conditions. Occupational hazards, such as noise, vibration, and poor workspace layout, coupled with limited access to fresh food and exercise, aggravate these conditions. While health promotion programs appeared in the literature, onboard health services are often limited, leading to reliance on repatriation and underreporting due to fear of job loss or stigma. A critical need remains for enhanced onboard medical services, culturally sensitive mental health support, robust legal protection, and comprehensive health promotion programs that address the various domains of their profession.