Abstract
Aim
The aim of the review is to identify and assess moderator variables for the association between unemployment and health.
Subjects and methods
As a social determinant of health, mass unemployment is a major challenge for public health. Health promotion among the unemployed is underdeveloped. This review examines meta-analyses using quantitative methods to study the influence of unemployment on morbidity and mortality.
Results
International meta-analyses consistently show that both the risk of morbidity and of premature mortality is significantly higher for unemployed persons compared to the employed. A wide range of moderating factors is identified. However, many of the discussed socio-demographic variables were not confirmed by the latest statistical moderation analyses, while other recently identified health variables and macroeconomic factors were added. The overview shows that the findings of moderating analyses on the effects of unemployment on health, premature mortality and suicide are quite inhomogeneous.
Conclusion
The interaction between unemployment and health points to a need for prevention and health promotion. The moderator analyses provide different insights for an approach of health promotion as well as for behavioural and structural prevention.
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Hollederer, A. Unemployment, health and moderating factors: the need for targeted health promotion. J Public Health 23, 319–325 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-015-0685-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-015-0685-4