A while back, I read this article in Newsweek about the plight of the unemployed: http://www.newsweek.com/2010/02/04/lay-off-the-layoffs.html.
It outlined two major points: Layoffs rarely make a company profitable and the harm layoffs do to the individual thrown out of a job. Specifically, the article states:
“As bad as the effects of layoffs are on companies and the economy, perhaps the biggest damage is done to the people themselves. Here the consequences are, not surprisingly, devastating. Layoffs literally kill people. In the United States, when you lose your job, you lose your health insurance, unless you can afford to temporarily maintain it under the pricey COBRA provisions. Studies consistently show a connection between not having health insurance and individual mortality rates. Other data demonstrate that even fairly brief interruptions in health-care coverage lead people to skip diagnostic screening tests such as mammograms and colonoscopies.”
Therefore, my jobless brethren, be prepared to kick the bucket sooner. Could it get any worse? Sorry to be depressing, but these are the facts.
It stands to reason that a layoff would have a devastating impact on a person’s health. There’s the constant stress of wondering if can pay your bills, not to mention health care expenses. It’s easy to postpone—or forgo altogether—routine tests and doctor visits that could detect a serious illness in an early, treatable form if you cannot afford health insurance, or if you have health insurance through COBRA, the high copay.
This is really shortsighted on the part of our health care and social welfare system. Because if an unemployed person gets sick, he or she will inevitably go to a charity hospital for care, which places a burden on another safety net. We really do need an affordable, national health care program.
But for now, I won’t debate the need for a better national health care system. But I will say this to unemployed persons in this month of New Year’s Resolutions:
STAY HEALTHY!
Do not neglect your health. I would argue that now is the time to take the best care of yourself. Eat right, exercise and try to limit stress. Just because some idiotic boss took away your job doesn’t mean he can take away your well being.
Sounds difficult to stay healthy while unemployed? It won’t be easy but it can be done.
While it’s understandable to cancel your pricey gym membership after a layoff, stopping your exercise program is not. Put on a comfortable pair of shoes and walk for a half hour each day. It’s free and will keep you in shape. You can lose seven pounds in a year just by walking briskly each day.
Try to avoid the temptation of junk food. You can buy fruits and veggies just as economically. With the economy in the shape it’s in, grocery stores are locked in a price war with discounters like Target. That’s to our benefit.
Many hospitals and clinics offer free mammograms and other screening tests. Take advantage of them.
Avoiding those routine tests does not mean the illness will go away. I know of what I speak: When my mother was ill, I didn’t go for routine exams and it came back to haunt me later. Looking back in hindsight, it was the most foolish thing I did. I could have taken an hour to visit the doctor but I didn’t. Stupid me.
Many states have programs for uninsured residents. Look into that.
Unemployed people may also avoid going to the dentist. Again, this is a big mistake. To be blunt, do you really want to go on a job interview with rotten teeth? Many universities have free or low-cost dental clinics where dentistry students can practice. Local community colleges that offer dental hygienist programs do the same if you only need a teeth cleaning.
If the stress of being out of work is overwhelming, find a support group you can join for free.
I’m not saying you should run to the doctor’s office for every sniffle. Be selective in your health care expenses. You may have to tough out a bad cold or strained muscle.
For something more serious, ask a relative or friend for the money if you need to see the doctor. While I don’t advocate borrowing, this is the one time when they would understand and help you out.
They want to see you alive, healthy and unemployed, not sick—or worse—and unemployed.
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