Influence of changes in the Spanish labor market during the economic crisis (2007-2011) on perceived health.

Purpose: We analyze the influence of the dramatic changes in the Spanish labor market during the crisis on the perceived health of the Spanish population.

Methods: We use the longitudinal Living Conditions Survey database and multilevel longitudinal logistic models between 2007 and 2011, before and during the economic crisis in one of the European countries most affected by its consequences.

Results: Unemployment (OR 1.75; p < 0.001), job insecurity (OR 1.38; p < 0.001), and being part of a household with severe material deprivation (OR 1.87; p = 0.004) increase the risk of having worsened perceived health. Available income, on the other hand, is a protective factor (OR 0.72; p < 0.001). Public expenditure policies have little impact on the perceived health. Labor market reforms reducing the degree of job insecurity and unemployment, together with income transfers to those at greater risk of social deprivation, can be more effective in improving the health of the population than the increase of aggregated social or health care expenditure.

Conclusions: This study provides evidence of the influence that unemployment, job insecurity, and poverty exert on the perceived health of individuals, with data collected in Spain after the onset of the financial crisis. In addition, after analyzing public social expenditure, only expenditure on FPS seems to influence self-reported health, although to a very limited degree.