Redundancy can seriously affect health
A new study has revealed that losing your job can make you ill. *
Harvard School of Public Health found that people who are made redundant are more likely to develop heart disease, stroke or diabetes.
The US research revealed that the chance of a healthy employee reporting a new illness on being made redundant rose by 83 per cent, while in those with fair or poor health the odds increased by 54 per cent.
The findings, reported in health journal Demography, also claimed that even finding a new job quickly is not enough to prevent stress-related illness.
Kate Strully, author of the study, said: “In today's economy, job loss can happen to anybody.
“We need to be aware of the health consequences of losing our jobs and do what we can to alleviate the negative effects.”
The study was conducted based on data from the U.S. Panel Study of Income Dynamics, a nationally representative survey between 1999 and 2003. It looked at company closures covering a range of occupations, including managerial posts, sales jobs, machine operators and service positions.
Westfield’s Good4you Health Cash Plan, available to purchase directly from Westfield, offers a 24-hour freephone counselling and advice line, which enables policyholders to speak to a trained counsellor, lawyer or medical adviser at any time, day or night.
It also provides access to a GP telephone consultation service, which enables policyholders to speak to a qualified UK GP at a convenient time to them. The doctor can offer advice on a range of health issues and in many cases provide a diagnosis and recommend an appropriate course of action.
For more information about the Good4you Health Cash Plan, visit http://www.westfieldhealth.com/individual-health-plans/health-cash-plan.asp
References
* http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1178710/Recession-virus-Job-loss-make-sick.html
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