After losing a job, it’s important to set a regular sleep schedule, keep yibao (basic medical insurance) active, and plan job searches methodically — don’t just stay at home all day
Grade ABig benefitLifespanFreeLittle timeSome willpower
People who have lost a job later die at a rate about 60% higher than people still in work. The gap is clearer for men, and for people who are not old, and it is highest in the first 10 years. Once smoking and drinking are taken out, the rise is about a quarter smaller, and that part is in your own hands. Register as unemployed first, and claim the unemployment insurance benefit.
- Cost
- There’s no expense involved. First, register as unemployed and apply for unemployment benefits; then schedule job searches at set times. The real challenge is waking up on time when no one is there to push you.
- Benefit
- Data from 42 studies involving over 20 million participants and 235 mortality risk estimates show that, after adjusting for age and other factors, unemployed individuals face an average HR of 1.63 for all causes of death — meaning their risk is about 63% higher than that of employed people. This effect is more pronounced in men and in people early or midway through their careers; it diminishes after the first ten years. When lifestyle factors like smoking and drinking are included in the analysis, the average HR drops by 24%, reflecting a similar reduction in overall risk.
- Notes
- These findings come from observational studies, so a direct cause‑and‑effect relationship cannot be proven; it’s also possible that poorer health contributes to unemployment. Nevertheless, the 24% reduction in risk after adjusting for health behaviors offers a useful direction for intervention. Details on eligibility for unemployment benefits, how to apply, and how to maintain social insurance coverage are provided in Section 7. Information on severance pay and why you should avoid voluntarily resigning can be found in Section 19.
Sources · 1
- Roelfs DJ, et al. (2011). Losing life and livelihood: a systematic review and meta-analysis of unemployment and all-cause mortality. Social Science & Medicine. doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2011.01.005