[Health, health-related behavior and gainful employment]

Based on data collected in a survey as part of the Swiss Intercantonal Health Indicators Project (random sample stratified by age of 20-75 year old persons, n = 2106) relationships between level of employment (full, part-time, none) and health/disease as well as health behaviour were studied. Employed men and to some extent employed women as well were found to be less frequently sick and to feel more frequently well than non-employed men and women. Overall employment appears to affect health/disease in men more strongly than in women, whereas influence on health behaviour appears to be similar in both gender groups. The results of the study are discussed both with regard to further hypotheses of health research and opportunities of health promotion.