Why unemployed people are at higher risk of having stroke

*People who understand bonds, stocks are healthier, researchers find
*Having grasp of how finances work helps ease anxiety, blood pressure in rich, poor

Unemployment people now have another reason to leave their house and go down to the job centre. Scientists warn that those without a full-time job are at higher risk of having a deadly stroke.

A sedentary lifestyle, heavily linked to those without a job, is a well-known risk factor of the potentially fatal blood clots.While the stress of not having a consistent income to provide for themselves or not could also explain the findings, experts suggest.

However, the Japanese researchers were unable to confirm these as reasons why, were unable to pinpoint a decisive factor.Osaka University experts analysed data of nearly 42,000 adults between the ages of 40 and 59.

They were monitored over a period of 15 years for the study, which was published in the journal Stroke.Unemployed men were found to have a 60 per cent higher risk of stroke, while women who experienced a spell without a job suffered slightly less.

However, women were the gender more likely to die as a result of having a stroke. They were 150 per cent more likely to die than those who were continuously employed, the researchers found.

Study author Professor Hiroyasu Iso said: “The main implication is that job security during the most productive work ages could help reduce stroke risk.
“Those who do suffer a job loss need help in rejoining the labor market in an appropriate career.”But the researchers warned in Japan, workers are part of a “life-term employment system.”

Therefore the findings may not apply to other countries because of the cultural differences. Meanwhile, they say money can’t buy you happiness – but understanding it could.

A new study has found people who simply have a grasp of finances are far less likely to suffer from anxiety and stress-related illnesses.It holds true regardless of whether you are rich or not.

Part of the reason, the Japanese researchers conclude, seems to be that the financially literate are able to spend less time hypothesizing about their future, and fret less about life in their twilight years.

The findings stem from a study, which asked people from across Japan to answer questions assessing their calculation skills, understanding of pricing behavior, and financial securities such as bonds and stocks.

Perhaps surprisingly, it is the first published study to investigate links between financial literacy and anxiety about old age. Associate Professor Yoshihiko Kadoya of Hiroshima University and Mostafa Saidur Rahim Khan of Nagoya University asked participants about their accumulated wealth, assets, and lifestyle – and to rate the level of anxiety they felt about life beyond 65.

Overall, they found financial literacy was not particularly high throughout Japanese society.Predictably, men were more financially clued-in than women, as were people with a high-level education, compared with the lesser-educated.

Those sectors are also more likely to be wealthy. However, the researchers found that the driving factor to combat anxiety was financial literacy, even among those who did not earn very much. They concluded that financial literacy helped to shape people’s perception towards risk and uncertainty – making them more capable and confident in tackling whatever problems life throws at them.

Kadoya said that financial literacy increases our awareness about financial products, builds a capacity to compare all available financial options, and changes our financial behavior – all which bodes well for our perceptions of, and actual experiences during our seniority.

While financial literacy taken alone was seen to reduce anxiety – its affect was further heightened by other factors.Married respondents had even lower levels of anxiety about growing old than financially literate singletons. This could be down to married couples together planning more-effectively for the future due to familial responsibilities.

Age also plays a significant role, with anxiety levels peaking around 40. The researchers suggest that people at this age have the most home and workplace responsibilities, but with less money and time to support them, increasing anxiety about the here and now – and the journey ahead.

Interestingly as people get older their anxiety levels drop off on gaining access to social security, government funded health care and pensions – all taking the sting out of the post-retirement blues.

Having dependent children on the other hand increased anxiety levels – presumably due to respondent’s worry for their children’s wellbeing – as well as their own.

The findings should have implications for Japan and other countries where retirees account for a large and rapidly growing share of the population.Although Japan has a universal pension system, its benefits depend on an individual’s ability to pay throughout their working life. As in much of the developed world, it is increasingly perceived that a pension is insufficient for daily expenses without a backup pool of savings and assets – putting the financially literate at a distinct advantage.