IS UNEMPLOYMENT PATHOGENIC - A REVIEW OF CURRENT CONCEPTS WITH LESSONS FOR POLICY PLANNERS

This review of current literature on the relationship between unemploy ment and health covers time-series studies and critiques of this appro ach; microlevel studies of plant closures, which have yet to provide c onvincing data; and various studies dealing with mortality rates, phys ical health, mental health, women, children and families, and youth. A t particular risk are youth, the economically marginal, and middle-age men. The most common disorders documented are emotional and cardiopul monary disease. The key to the relationship between ill-health and une mployment may lie in the emerging epidemiological literature relating health status to social hierarchy. The article concludes with suggesti ons as to how current knowledge on the pathogenicity of unemployment m ay be of use to health policy planners on issues such as guaranteed an nual incomes.