UNEMPLOYMENT AND HEALTH - A REVIEW

Unemployment has an adverse effect on health. This effect is still dem onstrable when social class, poverty, age and pre-existing morbidity a re adjusted for.Unemployed men and their families have increased morta lity experience, particularly from suicide and lung cancer. Unemployed men also have a reduction in psychological well-being with a greater incidence of parasuicide, depression and anxiety. Unemployed men are m ore likely to use general practitioner and hospital services and recei ve more prescribed medicines. Smoking and alcohol consumption are ofte n increased after the onset of unemployment. Women are less affected b y enforced unemployment, but families are put at greater risk of physi cal illness, psychological stress and family breakdown. Maintaining fi nancial security, providing proactive health care and retraining for r e-employment can all reduce the impact of unemployment on health.