The current depressed economic climate is not only detrimental to our finances but also the health of the nation.
The stress involved in losing employment effects all parts of a person’s life from exercise to diet; they may also smoke and drink more.
The link with lack of employment and health issues has been known for many years but researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health wanted to find out exactly which is the biggest concern.
By looking at data from over eight thousand citizens, who took part in the University of Michigan’s Panel Study of Income Dynamics, the results seem to show that unemployment can lead to ill health. The survey began in 1999 and was repeated until 2003.
Interestingly, Dr Kate Strully, who headed the research team, explained that even if a new job was found relatively quickly the person would still get sick. It was actually the losing of the employment that affected the individual, rather than long term unemployment.
Of the section of those studied that had regular employment only six percent were found to have a new medical condition opposed to a greater number who had faced unemployment, however briefly.
With over 500,000 people having lost their jobs in April alone, this study is a grim reminder of the consequences of this worldwide recession. The types of conditions reported included high blood pressure and diabetes, both of which lead to heart disease.
The emphasis on finding an end to the current crisis is the priority for every government throughout the world and now they have yet another reason to add to the growing list of effects it is having.
