The downturn in the economy has affected the health and lives of a large population of people across the United States. Studies have shown that people who have lost their jobs due to no fault of their own suffer more health problems in a relatively brief period of time in comparison with those who have jobs. It is vital to maintain a positive attitude and keep up with your health during these unfortunate times.
Unemployment and health consequences [1]
According to an article in the New York Times in April of 2009, the economy lost more than half a million jobs. Based on reports from previous studies, this is cause for health concern. An analysis of data from over eight thousand individuals surveyed in 1999, 2001 and 2003 by the U.S. Panel Study of Income Dynamics revealed that people who lost a job through no fault of their own were twice as likely to develop symptoms of poor health. Reports show that the unemployed have an increased incidence of high blood pressure, diabetes or heart disease over the next year and a half after losing their jobs compared to people who were steadily employed. Results also showed that 6% of people with steady jobs developed a new health condition during each survey period of about a year and a half compared with 10% of those who had lost a job during the same period. And, regardless if the unemployed had found new employment, they still had a 1 in 10 chance of developing a new health condition. The results indicate that job loss as well as other stressors have an influential impact on health and contribute to the development of chronic conditions.
People who suffer stress from unemployment, or even worry about losing their job, may not maintain good nutritional habits or keep up with exercise, and they may also smoke more cigarettes. The health consequences that occur from these behaviors can be directly correlated with the economic downturn and it doesn’t take a long sustained period of unemployment to see the negative effects in people.
What to do about it [2][3][4][5]
Unemployment is unhealthy and is a cause of stress, anger, and depression. Stress is a strain on the nervous, hormonal and immune systems, which ultimately affect one’s health resulting in mental, emotional and physiological consequences. Depression can lead to sadness and irrational patterns of thought and behavior that can result in suicide. If you are in this situation, it is important to take care of yourself and not just sit and suffer. Proper nutrition, exercise, and reaching out to others in the community (medical, religious, fellowship, academic, etc) that offer help and guidance will provide you with the support you need to get through it. You may eventually have to relocate or obtain new job skills. In either case, you will likely find many others who are experiencing the same misfortune, which can offer you some relief.
Unemployment rates are reaching record numbers in the United States. And with increasing layoffs comes a saturation of resumes out in the job market for whatever remaining jobs are available (thus increasing the competition). Connecticut, like most states, is borrowing interest-free loans from the federal government to replenish its depleted Unemployment Trust Fund. Since the unemployment rate has risen to over 8%, benefits have been extended for the residents to support themselves and their families.
In these troubled economic times, it is vital that people who lose their jobs reach out for support and be mindful of their health and how their behavior affects those around them. If you receive a pink slip, keep a positive outlook on your future and be open to new possibilities. By doing so, it may increase the chances of a successful outcome and lead you to a better place in life.
Reference links:
1. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/09/health/09sick.html
2. http://www.cvtips.com/leaving-a-job/unemployment-health-hazard-and-stress.html
3. http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/communic/2009-11/ui11209.htm
4. http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/messages/EUC08-Q&A.htm
5. http://media.www.dailycampus.com/media/storage/paper340/news/2009/10/30/News/Ct.Extends.Unemployment.Benefits.Again-3818542.shtml
Copyright ©2009 Joyce E.M. Wall
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