In many industrialized countries including those in Europe, there is an established relationship between work conditions and health. For instance employment status and conditions have been reported to influence physical health (self-assessed health, pain and various somatic conditions), as well as mental health outcomes such as anxiety and depression, even if debate is still ongoing. Employment conditions have been suggested to be a key determinant of health inequalities, although this factor has been less researched than have education and income. Therefore, a study of the role played by employment status/conditions in a small geographical area such as Gävle Municipality (with its pattern of industries, plant and services closures, and high levels of unemployment) could contribute to knowledge on ways to reduce ill health related to labour market. 

 The overall aim of this study was to examine the relationship between employment status, household income and physical and psychological health outcomes among economically active people residing in Gävle Municipality, using data from Wave 1 of the Gävle Household, Labour Market Dynamics and Health Outcomes (GHOLDH) survey, a household panel survey carried out between April and June 2012. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and mixed multivariate models.

There were differences in physical and psychological health by employment status. Individuals who were outside the labour market were more likely to report poor health, body pain and exhaustion than were individuals who were employed. In addition, those individuals who were outside work had a higher prevalence and risk of anxiety and depression. Data on household income also showed associations with physical and psychological health, with a concentration of poor self-reported health, somatic complaints, anxiety and depression in lower income households.

Interestingly, the study findings revealed that anxiety was also prevalent among employed people, suggesting that people with insecure jobs might also be at risk of poor mental health. This finding requires further research to discern the role of precarious employment conditions on inequalities in physical and mental health outcomes. In addition, studies on the impact of gender on the relationship between employment status/conditions and physical and psychological health outcomes are warranted. To this end, the follow-up survey to be carried out in 2014 might provide additional knowledge pertaining to ways to reduce employment-related health inequalities within the municipality.