Is the health of the long-term unemployed better or worse in high unemployment areas?

Data on 25.6 million adults from the UK 2001 Census were analysed to compare the regional pattern of self-rated health of the long-term unemployed to that of people from different social classes and of those who have never worked. The results show that the health of the long-term unemployed was better in high unemployment regions, and conversely, worse where the local labour market was traditionally stronger. This is the reverse of the regional pattern found-for different social classes and for those who have never worked.