The effect of job loss on health: Evidence from biomarkers

TitleThe effect of job loss on health: Evidence from biomarkers
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2016
AuthorsMichaud, P-C, Crimmins, EM, Hurd, MD
JournalLabour Economics
Volume41
Pagination194 - 203
Date PublishedJan-08-2016
ISSN Number09275371
KeywordsBiomarkers, Health Shocks, Job loss, Older Adults, Retirement Planning and Satisfaction
Abstract

We estimate the effect of job loss on objective measures of physiological dysregulation using biomarker measures collected by the Health and Retirement Study in 2006 and 2008 and longitudinal self-reports of work status. We distinguish between group or individual layoffs, and business closures. Workers who are laid off from their job have lower health as measured by biomarker, whereas workers laid off in the context of a business closure do not. Estimates matching respondents wave-by-wave on self-reported health conditions and subjective job loss expectations prior to job loss, suggest strong effects of layoffs on biomarkers, in particular for glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). A layoff could increase annual mortality rates by 10.3%, consistent with other evidence of the effect of group layoffs on mortality.

URLhttp://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0927537116300288http://api.elsevier.com/content/article/PII:S0927537116300288?httpAccept=text/xmlhttp://api.elsevier.com/content/article/PII:S0927537116300288?httpAccept=text/plain
DOI10.1016/j.labeco.2016.05.014
Short TitleLabour Economics
Citation Key8937
PubMed ID28684890
PubMed Central IDPMC5495022
Grant ListR01 AG040176 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
U01 AG009740 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States