The unemployed die sooner, new study shows

Unemployment and reduced spending on healthcare directly affect mortality rates, according to a study by the University of North Texas. 

Harvey Brenner, author of the study and a professor of public health and behavioral sciences at the University of North Texas Health Science Center's School of Public Health, said the study is one of the first to show the direct correlation between unemployment, reduced healthcare spending and mortality. 

"In the past, we saw people die within 10 years after their job loss. Now, we are seeing them die as early as the same year," he said. 

When a worker becomes unemployed, he or she often loses health insurance, suffers stress and adopts unhealthy behaviors as a result. He/she may delay preventive healthcare because of the cost or loss of health insurance coverage.

The stress of being unemployed causes both physical and psychological issues that may eventually erupt into major medical conditions that easily could have been treated earlier, Brenner said.
 
"The bottom line is, preventing and controlling health issues is more important in a down economy as more and more people struggle to balance the need for food, shelter and health care," he said. 

Since World War II, research has shown that economic development is good for health in developing countries, though it isn't clear if economic development in already developed countries has the same benefits, Brenner said. He said his research shows that unemployment is a much more important factor in health and well-being than economic development. 

The study comes as Congress is debating bipartisan solution to America's healthcare system, focusing on affordability, access and cutting costs.

President Barack Obama has laid out an eight-point process for healthcare reform in his recent budget recommendation to Congress. Nancy-Ann DeParle, his nominated healthcare point person in the White House, will work with legislators to craft a bill that the president hopes will bring relief to the economy and Americans' health. 

The president has said there will be no economic recovery without healthcare reform. Senate Finance Committee leaders Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) have vowed to get a health reform bill passed by June.