Source: Xinhua
05-11-2009 11:11
Special Report: Tech MaxLOS 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.
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| 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.(File photo) |
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."
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Editor:Yang Jie
