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UK News - Breaking news in the field of health and safety
Enjoy your work, its good for you
A report entitled - Is Work Good for your Health and Well-being?, confirms that work is indeed beneficial to health and longevity
Academics searched through 400 pieces of scientific evidence to be able to confidently report that being out of work is bad for both mind and body, progressively damaging health and decreasing life expectancy, and is associated with adverse health effects such as mental health problems, an increased likelihood of suicide, disability and obesity.
Conversely, being in work is good for your physical and mental health, boosting self esteem and quality of life.
The reviewers discovered a lack of understanding among healthcare professionals of the benefits of work, which is to be addressed by a series of initiatives to help engage, educate and support GPs and other healthcare professionals of the long-term consequences of signing patients off sick.
The findings support the Government's commitment to helping more people enter into, remain in, and return to work, including the Welfare Reform agenda, which aims to reduce reliance on incapacity benefits by 1 million, assisting 1 million older workers and more than 300,000 lone parents into work.
Comment:
"I am determined to raise awareness among healthcare professionals that being out of work has a real and negative impact on people's mental and physical health. Very few doctors and nurses understand that work is health giving. Work is an intrinsic part of improving and maintaining health. It is crucial that GPs bear this in mind when offering advice and support to people with all types of health condition." - National Director for Health and Work.
08.09.06
