Job Loss Linked to Health Problems?

Do you know anyone who has recently lost a job? CNN has a story about how the risks of hypertension, heart disease, and arthritis are higher in those who lose their job.

As someone trained in public health, I often wonder whether we're talking about association or causation. In other words, does job loss cause these conditions? Probably not. However, the association is an interesting one and it may point to some issues that revolve around healthcare disparities. These findings were recently published in the journal Demography by Kate Strully, assistant professor of sociology at the State University of New York at Albany. Demography is the statistical study of all populations. What an interesting name for a journal. I'll have to keep my eye out for this edition. Image source: CNN.