Warning: Unemployment Kills
3 April 2015
Read by 2265 persons
Unemployment is associated with a high rate of cardiovascular accidents and generally higher mortality among middle-aged individuals, according to a study by Inserm (French Institute of Health and Medical Research).
The study, published in the International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, shows a mortality rate about three times higher compared to that of employed individuals.
To do this, an Inserm team analyzed the incidence of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events and the mortality rate (all causes combined) among 5,852 French volunteers aged 45 to 64, between 1995 and 2007, over a 12-year period. Participants were initially free of cardiovascular or other diseases.
A total of 242 cardiovascular events and 152 deaths occurred during the follow-up. The results show a risk of cardiovascular events multiplied by 1.84, while overall mortality (all causes combined) is multiplied by 2.79 compared to employed individuals. Unemployment having "major effects on the occurrence of cardiovascular events and chronic diseases."
According to Pierre Meneton, author of the study, this excess mortality is explained by the fact that unemployed people are more likely to adopt "risky behaviors." "They consume more alcohol, fewer fruits and vegetables, and have a significantly higher caloric intake (excluding alcohol) than average," he says.
He adds: "These effects are clearly linked to unemployment, because retirees or those voluntarily inactive are not affected."
However, the results obtained are far from representing reality, as they are based on a sample of people more privileged than average and do not take into account the effects of the economic crisis.
Numerous studies have focused on the same subject, highlighting the factors explaining the increased mortality among the unemployed.
The decrease in income inevitably leads those who experience it to change their lifestyle, affecting both diet and hygiene. Similarly, access to care becomes limited, which has consequences for health.
Social isolation and the loss of self-esteem that often result from prolonged unemployment can lead to psychological problems, which explain risky behaviors and, in some fortunately rarer cases, lead to suicide.
Meriem Ben Nsir.
Leconomistemaghrebin.com
Published March 29, 2015.
Posted online April 3, 2015.
The study, published in the International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, shows a mortality rate about three times higher compared to that of employed individuals.
To do this, an Inserm team analyzed the incidence of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events and the mortality rate (all causes combined) among 5,852 French volunteers aged 45 to 64, between 1995 and 2007, over a 12-year period. Participants were initially free of cardiovascular or other diseases.
A total of 242 cardiovascular events and 152 deaths occurred during the follow-up. The results show a risk of cardiovascular events multiplied by 1.84, while overall mortality (all causes combined) is multiplied by 2.79 compared to employed individuals. Unemployment having "major effects on the occurrence of cardiovascular events and chronic diseases."
According to Pierre Meneton, author of the study, this excess mortality is explained by the fact that unemployed people are more likely to adopt "risky behaviors." "They consume more alcohol, fewer fruits and vegetables, and have a significantly higher caloric intake (excluding alcohol) than average," he says.
He adds: "These effects are clearly linked to unemployment, because retirees or those voluntarily inactive are not affected."
However, the results obtained are far from representing reality, as they are based on a sample of people more privileged than average and do not take into account the effects of the economic crisis.
Numerous studies have focused on the same subject, highlighting the factors explaining the increased mortality among the unemployed.
The decrease in income inevitably leads those who experience it to change their lifestyle, affecting both diet and hygiene. Similarly, access to care becomes limited, which has consequences for health.
Social isolation and the loss of self-esteem that often result from prolonged unemployment can lead to psychological problems, which explain risky behaviors and, in some fortunately rarer cases, lead to suicide.
Meriem Ben Nsir.
Leconomistemaghrebin.com
Published March 29, 2015.
Posted online April 3, 2015.
