Health

Health and Work are inextricable, with fair work being a key determinant of good physical and mental health, and good physical and mental health being essential to productive work.

We know that having access to good quality and fair work can contribute to positive outcomes in both physical and mental health.

Unemployment is associated with a higher risk of death and increased mental health problems. Job insecurity is also damaging to health. The presence or absence of employment has a range of consequences for people's lives, materially, socially and psychologically.

The importance of obtaining and remaining in work is recognised as a key contributor to reducing health inequalities. Over the past few years research has provided us with the evidence base that ‘good work is good for your health’.

This has increased the prominence of vocational rehabilitation and employability issues in the day to day practice of health care professionals.

Find out more about the Scottish Government's Health and Work strategy