UNEMPLOYMENT AND HEALTH - THE HEALTH-CARE SYSTEMS ROLE

Experts from the South Western Sydney Area Health Service and the Univ ersity of New South Wales say there are few reports of healthcare inte rventions to address the impact of unemployment on health. They outlin e possible strategies, which include providing accessible and appropri ate healthcare; developing the healthcare system's capacity to deal wi th the health problems of unemployed people; collaborating with other agencies and sectors working on this issue; acting as an advocate for unemployed people; undertaking research; and providing training work e xperience and employment opportunities within the healthcare system. L ong term solutions lie in increasing employment and training opportuni ties. Nevertheless, there is a clear role for the healthcare system in reducing the health impacts of unemployment and ensuring that poor he alth does not act as a barrier to returning to work.