After job loss, stabilize your routine, health coverage, and job-search schedule
Unemployment was associated with about 60% higher mortality in pooled research, with larger associations in men and people earlier in working life. Risks were greatest during the first ten years. Studies accounting for behaviors such as smoking and drinking found a smaller association, pointing to some practical habits worth protecting. In China, eligible unemployment benefit recipients have employee health insurance contributions covered by the unemployment insurance fund.
What it takes
No charge to organize a routine. In China, register unemployment and claim eligible benefits, then set a regular job-search schedule. Getting up on time without external pressure can take effort.
What you may gain
A review pooled 42 studies, 235 mortality estimates, and more than 20 million people. After adjustment for age and other factors, unemployment had an average all-cause mortality HR of 1.63. The association was greater in men, more pronounced in early and middle career than late career, and highest during the first ten years of follow-up before declining. In studies that also adjusted for health behaviors, the average HR was 24% lower. This is the reported comparison between study estimates, not proof that an individual can remove exactly a quarter of the risk through behavior change.
Context & considerations
Observational data cannot fully separate cause and effect: people with poorer health may also be more likely to lose jobs. The attenuation after health-behavior adjustment suggests practical areas to protect. For Chinese unemployment entitlements, applications, and continuing insurance, see chapter 7. For dismissal compensation and why not to sign an inaccurate voluntary resignation, see chapter 19.
Research & references
Roelfs DJ et al. (2011). Losing life and livelihood: a systematic review and meta-analysis of unemployment and all-cause mortality. Social Science & Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2011.01.005