[Unemployment and health]

Unemployment is a severe problem in Europe since 1980-1990, which is not only economic but also social and medical. European studies show that morbidity and mortality rates of unemployed persons and their families are consequently higher than in the general population. The longest the unemployment period, the more you troubles in physical and psychological health. Depression and psychosomatic trouble are the most frequently observed, secondary to stress, emotional perturbations and psychological burn-out. It is necessary to develop information and prevention strategies to identify sick unemployed persons, to treat them early to help them to recover their health and to try to reduce socioeconomics costs, pain and sicknesses in this specific fragile population. We should also try to inform public opinion and reach all the professionals concerned by unemployment to work together and look for the best solutions to this medical, psychological, social and economical problem.