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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Unemployment and health in Spain

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We present the results of a study on the association between unemployment and health and the use of health services, exploring the influence of the socio-economic environment on these relationships. With this aim, data from the Spanish National Health Survey (SNHS) were used. Health was measured by subjective health status, presence of chronic illnesses and psychological symptoms. The use of health services was measured by drug consumption (over the counter and/or prescribed drugs), doctor consultation, hospital admission and casualty attendance. A total of 13,344 individuals aged between 16 and 65 years were included. Results were analysed for all of Spain and for 3 regions with different socio-economic levels: Andalusia, Catalonia and the Basque Country. Although in Spain as a whole there was a relationship between unemployment, ill health and more use of health services, this relationship varied for the selected regions. Thus, in Catalonia and the Basque Country, where unemployment rates have dramatically increased in recent years, this relationship was maintained, while in Andalusia, where high unemployment rates have been a long-standing phenomenon, the relationship was less clear. It is suggested that the economic and social environment might be critical in determining the relationship between unemployment and health.