Self-reported health problems among Swedish miners one year after unemployment

Unemployment is considered to be a public health concern since deterioration in the health of the unemployed is often anticipated. However, for some groups, such as miners, unemployment might improve health due to a cessation of potentially harmful occupational exposures. This study evaluates the health of 79 miners in one Swedish iron-ore mine, and 226 age-matched controls from the general population, during one year after the closure of the mine. The participants received a questionnaire regarding medical history and subjective symptoms at the beginning of the study period, and after one year. Statistically significant negative effects on self-reported health attributable to unemployment were not found, although neuropsychiatric symptoms were more common among the unemployed miners. The miners reported a statistically significant improvement in grip force (p = 0.031). They had a significantly higher prevalence of symptoms associated with mining related exposures when compared with the population controls; pain in the upper extremities [relative risk (RR) = 2.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.44-3.59), back pain (RR = 1.84; CI = 1.23-2.75), vasospastic disease of the fingers (RR = 2.05; CI = 1.18-3.57) and obstructive respiratory symptoms (attacks of dyspnea and wheezing: RR = 3.67; CI = 1.16-11.6).