Percentage of population ages 16 and older unemployed but seeking work. The 2023 County Health Rankings used data from 2021 for this measure.

The unemployed population experiences worse health and higher mortality rates than the employed population.^1-4 Unemployment has been shown to lead to an increase in unhealthy behaviors related to alcohol and tobacco consumption, diet, exercise, and other health-related behaviors, which in turn can lead to increased risk for disease or mortality, especially suicide.⁵ Because employer-sponsored health insurance is the most common source of health insurance coverage, unemployment can also limit access to health care. (CHR 2023)