Better Health For All

Dr Alisha Davies, Head of Research and Development, Public Health Wales

We understand the importance of good quality, sustainable employment for health. We also recognise that economic shocks, such as the loss of a high number of jobs in a localised area, can have a detrimental impact on the health, social and financial situation of individuals. In the years following a mass unemployment event workers can experience double the risk of death from heart attack or stroke and even greater increases in problems such as alcohol related disease, alongside detrimental effects on mental health. The impact can extend beyond those directly made redundant to families, local communities, and the effects endure over many generations.

Preparedness to address the health consequences of mass unemployment events is of national and international importance – yet there is very little information on how to better prepare and respond to such events. The public health discipline has emergency planning response frameworks for other events, such as flooding, which have a significant impact on individual and community health, but not mass unemployment.

Working with academic experts and those previously involved in public health responses to mass unemployment events across the globe – from the motor industry in Australia, to mining in New Zealand, Public Health Wales have developed a basic framework to support public, voluntary and private sectors with prevention, planning for and reaction to mass unemployment events.

The recently launched report provides an eight-step framework to support public, voluntary and private sectors with prevention, planning for and reaction to mass unemployment events. Key priorities where public health approaches can help are highlighted including early identification of areas at risk; ensuring the reactive responses address the health and wellbeing needs of all those affected alongside financial and re-employment advice; providing accessible support for families, and the wider community – in particular vulnerable groups, such as the long term unemployed; and increasing awareness through community and third sector links.

Preventative measures identified by those interviewed included longer term consideration of skills development, investment and diversification, social responsibility of employers announcing redundancies, and increasing individual and community resilience.

This report is an important tool to inform action to help prevent and minimise the consequences and harms of mass unemployment events (MUEs) to population health. The work was taken forward following events in Wales, but has national and international reach across many European and International countries.

NOTES:
The report and info-graphic will be available on the day of launch in English and Welsh, and it will be announced on our Public Health Wales website on Friday 30th June (www.publichealthwales.org).