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Unemployment and mortality: a small area analysis
J R Charlton1, R Bauer, A Thakhore
1Department of Community Medicine, United Medical, School of Guy's Hospital, London.
Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
|June 1, 1987
Summary
This study found no significant link between rising unemployment and mortality rates in England and Wales. While some trends suggested slightly worse outcomes for men in younger age groups, the effects were not statistically significant.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Social Determinants of Health
Background:
- Unemployment is hypothesized to negatively impact health and mortality.
- Previous research suggests potential links between unemployment and adverse health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between changes in unemployment levels and mortality trends in England and Wales.
- To analyze variations in mortality across areas with differing unemployment experiences.
Main Methods:
- Utilized quarterly unemployment data (1977-1981) aggregated to Family Practitioner Committee (FPC) areas.
- Examined mortality data (1975-1983) for suicide, ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and all causes.
- Compared mortality trends in FPCs with varying unemployment change experiences.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences in mortality trends were observed between FPCs with different unemployment experiences.
- Areas with greater increases in unemployment showed marginally worse mortality trends for specific causes (suicide, ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease) and total mortality in younger men.
- The observed effects, if any, were not of sufficient magnitude to reach statistical significance with the available sample.
Conclusions:
- Changes in unemployment levels did not demonstrate a statistically significant impact on mortality trends in England and Wales within the study period.
- Further research with larger sample sizes or different methodologies may be needed to detect subtle effects of unemployment on mortality.