Unemployment and Health – a Public Health Perspective: In Reply

by Prof. Dr. med. Andreas Weber, Prof. Dr. mult. Georg Hörmann, Dr. med. Walther Heipertz, in volume 43/2007

We thank Hebebrand and Wiltfang for their important contribution with regard to unemployment in younger adults under the age of 25, especially those with mental disorders. This does indeed present a particular problem, which requires intense multiprofessional collaboration. Without creating entirely new and complementary care structures, those forming the primary point of contact need to be enabled there and then to recognize the need for appropriate diagnostics and treatment, and to put into practice their implementation in the context of case management. The interesting Essen project fulfils exactly this purpose. The results reported by Hebebrand and Wiltfang do not only underline the importance of competent medical (specialty) involvement but are also in accordance with the results of the current German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents of 2007 (www.kiggs.de).
The survey data show that 22% of the children and adolescents under age 18 examined in 167 locations (n ~ 18 000) had mental and addiction disorders. However, opening up the perspective of a job position and thus the opportunity of forging an independent life for young people exceeds the scope of medical activities or model projects – especially as evidenced by these data – and remains a priority sociopolitical challenge.
DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2008.0127b

Corresponding author
Prof. Dr. med. habil. Andreas Weber
Institut für Qualitätssicherung in Prävention und Rehabilitation (iqpr GmbH)
an der Deutschen Sporthochschule
Sürther Str. 171
50999 Köln, Germany
[e-mail]

Conflict of interest statement
The authors of both articles declare that no conflict of interest exists according to the guidelines of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors.