It has long been known, such as by researchers at Yale University, that “high unemployment rates increase mortality and low unemployment decreases mortality and increases the sense of well being in a community… Economic growth is the single most important factor relating to length of life… Employment is the essential element of social status and it establishes a person as a contributing member of society and also has very important implications for self-esteem… When that is taken away, people become susceptible to depression, cardiovascular disease, AIDS and many other illnesses that increase mortality.”