Why do those out of work because of sickness or disability have a high mortality risk? Evidence from a Scottish cohort

Popham, F. , Skivington, K. and Benzeval, M. (2013) Why do those out of work because of sickness or disability have a high mortality risk? Evidence from a Scottish cohort. European Journal of Public Health, 23(4), pp. 629-635. (doi: 10.1093/eurpub/cks164)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/cks164

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Existing evidence on the association between being out of work because of sickness or disability and high mortality risk suggests that most of the association cannot be explained by controlling for health, health behaviour or socio-economic position. However, studies are often based on administrative data that lack explanatory factors. Here, we investigate this high mortality risk using detailed information from a cohort study.<p></p> <b>Methods:</b> Data from the West of Scotland Twenty-07 prospective cohort study were used to follow those (average age 56 years) employed, unemployed and out of work in 1988 to death or end of follow-up in 2011. Using a parametric survival model, mean survival was calculated for each employment group after adjustment for health behaviours, health and socio-economic position.<p></p> <b>Results:</b> The difference in survival between those sick or disabled (30% survival at end of follow-up), and those unemployed (49%) or employed (61%) was mostly accounted for by adjusting for the higher levels of poor heath at baseline in the former group (49, 46 and 56%, respectively, after adjustment). After controlling for all variables, the difference between those sick or disabled (51%) and those employed (56%) was further attenuated slightly.<p></p> <b>Conclusion:</b> Our results suggest that the present health of those out of work and sick or disabled should be taken seriously, as their long-term survival prospects are considerably poorer than other employment groups.<p></p>

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Skivington, Dr Kathryn and Popham, Dr Frank and Benzeval, Dr Michaela
Authors: Popham, F., Skivington, K., and Benzeval, M.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
Journal Name:European Journal of Public Health
Publisher:Oxford University Press
ISSN:1101-1262
ISSN (Online):1464-360X
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2012 The Authors
First Published:First published in European Journal of Public Health 23(4):629-635
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License
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