Losing Job Hurts Health

A study has confirmed what most people might suspect: unemployment causes health problems.

The research, reported in a NY Times story, revealed that 10% of people who lost a job through no fault of their own developed health problems during the next one and a half years, compared with only 6% of people who did not lose jobs. This result held even among people who lost a job but then quickly found a new job.

Apparently the stress of losing a job causes people to make poor health choices--overeating, not exercising, drinking more alcohol and smoking more if they smoke.

A classic double whammy...