LIFE COURSE EFFECTS OF UNEMPLOYMENT ON THE ONSET OF MAJOR HEALTH CONDITIONS AT OLDER AGES. (11th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Harrati, A; Hepburn, P
• Is Part Of: Innovation in aging. Volume 2(2018)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 336
• Page End: 336
• Publication Date: 2018-11-11
• Subjects: Aging -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 612.67
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igy023.1232
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-5300

Abstract

Abstract: There is substantial evidence that unemployment is associated with adverse health. However, current studies are often limited in two ways. First, effects on health are usually only measured shortly subsequent to unemployment. Secondly, unemployment is often measured as a one-time shock, as detailed long-term records of unemployment are often unavailable. Using unique data available from The National Longitudinal Study of Youth 1979, we aim to do two things. First, we characterize employment trajectories for a nationally-representative sample of Americans for every week of their lives between the ages of 18 and 50 years old (over 2, 600 weeks). We then explore associations between these employment trajectories and a number of major health conditions including cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and depression at age 50--when the onset of chronic health conditions often begins—to examine the cumulative effects of unemployment over the life course on later-life health.