The nature of unemployment morbidity. 2. Description.

A longitudinal, controlled study on job loss and health using general practice records has concluded that unemployment morbidity among men made redundant can be identified as an increase in those episodes of illness which are associated with many consultations. The possibility that these episodes represent chronic ill health has been tested using the same data base. If chronic illnesses are defined as those requiring active management after one year, their incidence among unemployed men was over six times that among controls (P<0.001). Cardiovascular disorders were frequently detected in the unemployed men and several of the other chronic complaints they suffered may also have had a psychosomatic aetiology related to stress. The consequent workload in terms of consultations, investigations, referrals, outpatient attendances and drug therapy increased significantly after job loss. More frequent, short-lived illnesses showed continuing downward trends in study and control men.The results suggest that unskilled men face a serious health hazard if made redundant. Investigating and treating their chronic disabilities leads to an increased medical workload and must further burden the health service.