A clinical follow up of unemployed i: Lifestyle, diagnoses, treatment and re-employment

Abstract

Objective - To describe morbidity, lifestyle and re-employment in a representative sample of unemployed people. Design - A two-year follow up of a routine health examination consisting of a structured interview, a clinical examination and the doctor's conclusions and advice. Setting - Four municipalities in Grenland, southern Norway. Participants - A representative sample aged 16 to 63 who had been registered with the labour market authorities for more than 12 weeks. Results - Self-reported diseases were more common in the study group than were found in employed people, especially musculoskeletal and mental disorders. The prevalence of medical diagnoses was high. Smoking was reported by nearly twice as many unemployed as the reference population. Heavy alcohol consumption was more prevalent in the unemployed men. Blood pressure was lower than in the reference population. Cholesterol was higher in the unemployed women. Many needed counselling or referrals. Having a medical diagnosis reduced the chances of re-employment two years later. Thus, health-related selection for re-employment seems to explain some of the excess morbidity among unemployed people. Conclusion - The long-term unemployed is a group with high morbidity and unhealthy lifestyle. General practitioners should be aware of this pattern in clinical and preventive work. © 1993 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.