Mortality in relation to employment status during different levels of unemployment

Aims: The aim of this study was to estimate whether the risk for total and cause-specific mortality was related to employment status, and whether mortality in different non-employed groups differed during high and low levels of unemployment. Methods: Structured interviews were used from the Swedish Survey of Living Conditions in 1984—89 and 1992—97, including women and men aged 18 to 64, classified as unemployed (n=2,067), retired or on temporary disability pension (n=2,674), economically inactive for other reasons (n=1,373), and employed (n=38,293). Data were linked to death certificates, as registered in the Cause of Death Register. Cox proportional hazards models were performed for the mortality risk up until eight and a half years following the interview. Results: Being unemployed (OR=1.43), retired, or on temporary disability pension (OR=2.28) or being economically inactive for other reasons (OR=1.63) was related to a risk for total mortality, after considering the level of unemployment, sociodemogra...