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Unemployment and Health: An Historical Perspective

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2009

Noel Whiteside
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Abstract

As unemployment has risen, so has academic, professional and political interest in its possible social consequences. In recent years a large number of studies have sought to prove—or disprove—that unemployment causes ill health, with few definitive results. This paper reviews the methodological and conceptual difficulties experienced by researchers in this field. It concludes that, generally, the impact of structural factors on the shape of the analysis has been all but ignored. It suggests that an historical perspective provides useful insights into the question and ought to be given more attention.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Social Policy , Volume 17 , Issue 2 , April 1988 , pp. 177 - 194
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1988

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