Study: Job losses lead to health problems

Special
Report: Global Financial Crisis

LOS ANGELES, May 8 (Xinhua) -- In addition to causing financial hardships,
job losses can also lead to health problems such as high blood pressure,
diabetes, heart disease, heart attack and stroke, a new study has found.

In the study, researchers at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation analyzed
U.S. data on a wide range of occupations: managerial and professional positions;
sales, clerical and craft jobs; machine operator jobs; and service positions.

Among white or blue collar workers who lost a job through workplace
closure, the likelihood of reporting fair or poor health increased by 54
percent, according to the study published in the May 8 issue of Demography.

The odds of developing a new health condition rose by 83 percent among
those who had no preexisting health problems, the study said.

Even when these workers found new jobs, they still had an increased risk of
new stress-related health problems, according to the study.

However, there were differences detected between blue collar and white
collar workers who had been fired, laid off or voluntarily left a job. Job loss
more than doubled the likelihood of reporting fair or poor health among blue
collar workers, but it had no effect on the health status of white collar
workers. The study did not explain reasons for this difference.

"In today's economy, job loss can happen to anybody," said lead researcher
Kate Strully. "We need to be aware of the health consequences of losing our jobs
and do what we can to alleviate the negative effects."