TY - JOUR

T1 - Unemployment and mortality in Denmark, 1970-80

AU - Iversen, Lars

AU - Andersen, Otto

AU - Andersen, Per Kragh

AU - Christoffersen, Kirsten

AU - Keiding, Niels

PY - 1987

Y1 - 1987

N2 - Relative mortality in the period 1970-80 was studied among Danish men and women who were unemployed and employed on the day of the 1970 census. The study population consisted of the total labour force in the age range 20-64 on 9 November 1970 that is, about 2 million employed and 22 000 unemployed people. Relative mortality was analysed by a multiplicative hazard regression model (as a natural extension of the standardised mortality ratio) and a multiplicative regression model with extra-Poisson variation. A significantly increased death rate (40-50%) was found among the unemployed after adjusting for occupation, housing category, geographical region, and marital state. Analysis of five main causes of death showed increased mortality from all causes, but especially from suicide or accidents. In areas where the local unemployment rate was comparatively high the relative mortality among the unemployed was lower. The increased mortality among the unemployed was interpreted as a consequence of health related selection as well as increased susceptibility associated with the psychosocial stress of unemployment.

AB - Relative mortality in the period 1970-80 was studied among Danish men and women who were unemployed and employed on the day of the 1970 census. The study population consisted of the total labour force in the age range 20-64 on 9 November 1970 that is, about 2 million employed and 22 000 unemployed people. Relative mortality was analysed by a multiplicative hazard regression model (as a natural extension of the standardised mortality ratio) and a multiplicative regression model with extra-Poisson variation. A significantly increased death rate (40-50%) was found among the unemployed after adjusting for occupation, housing category, geographical region, and marital state. Analysis of five main causes of death showed increased mortality from all causes, but especially from suicide or accidents. In areas where the local unemployment rate was comparatively high the relative mortality among the unemployed was lower. The increased mortality among the unemployed was interpreted as a consequence of health related selection as well as increased susceptibility associated with the psychosocial stress of unemployment.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0023233241&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1136/bmj.295.6603.879

DO - 10.1136/bmj.295.6603.879

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 3119084

AN - SCOPUS:0023233241

VL - 295

SP - 879

EP - 884

JO - B M J (Clinical Research Edition)

JF - B M J (Clinical Research Edition)

SN - 0959-8138

IS - 6603

ER -