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The effects of health shocks on labor market outcomes: evidence from UK panel data

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  • Otto Lenhart

    (University of Strathclyde)

Abstract

This study examines the link between health shocks and labor market outcomes in the United Kingdom. For sample periods of up to 9 years, I use longitudinal data from the British Household Panel Survey to test how sudden health shocks affect a number of labor market outcomes, such as labor and household income, employment status, and hours worked. Additionally, the study examines potential mechanisms underlying the link between health declines and labor market outcomes. By estimating propensity score matching difference-in-differences models, the study shows that sudden health declines lead to significant and persistent reductions in earnings. The effects are strongest for individuals experiencing severe health shocks, males, individuals with higher education and those working in managerial jobs. When examining potential channels, I provide evidence that increased health care expenditures and health care usage as well as reduced work productivity can explain the observed effects on labor market outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Otto Lenhart, 2019. "The effects of health shocks on labor market outcomes: evidence from UK panel data," The European Journal of Health Economics, Springer;Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsökonomie (DGGÖ), vol. 20(1), pages 83-98, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eujhec:v:20:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1007_s10198-018-0985-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10198-018-0985-z
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    4. Cristiano Codagnone & Francesco Bogliacino & Camilo Gómez & Frans Folkvord & Giovanni Liva & Rafael Charris & Felipe Montealegre & Francisco Lupiañez Villanueva & Giuseppe A. Veltri, 2021. "Restarting “Normal” Life after Covid-19 and the Lockdown: Evidence from Spain, the United Kingdom, and Italy," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 158(1), pages 241-265, November.
    5. Michael Keane & Elena Capatina & Shiko Maruyama, 2019. "Health Shocks and the Evolution of Earnings over the Life-Cycle," Discussion Papers 2018-14a, School of Economics, The University of New South Wales.
    6. Jones, Andrew M. & Rice, Nigel & Zantomio, Francesca, 2020. "Acute health shocks and labour market outcomes: Evidence from the post crash era," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 36(C).
    7. David Candon, 2019. "The joint effect of health shocks and eligibility for social security on labor supply," The European Journal of Health Economics, Springer;Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsökonomie (DGGÖ), vol. 20(7), pages 969-988, September.
    8. Annarita Macchioni Giaquinto & Andrew M. Jones & Nigel Rice & Francesca Zantomio, 2021. "Labour supply and informal care responses to health shocks within couples: evidence from the UKHL," Working Papers 2021:11, Department of Economics, University of Venice "Ca' Foscari".
    9. Pinna Pintor, Matteo & Fumagalli, Elena & Suhrcke, Marc, 2024. "The impact of health on labour market outcomes: A rapid systematic review," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    10. Ekaterina Aleksandrova & Venera Bagranova & Christopher J Gerry, 2021. "The effect of health shocks on labour market outcomes in Russia [Ageing and unused capacity in Europe: is there an early retirement trap?]," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 45(6), pages 1319-1336.
    11. Annarita Macchioni Giaquinto & Andrew M. Jones & Nigel Rice & Francesca Zantomio, 2022. "Labor supply and informal care responses to health shocks within couples: Evidence from the UK," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(12), pages 2700-2720, December.
    12. Mercedes Gumbau Albert, 2021. "The impact of health status and human capital formation on regional performance: Empirical evidence," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 100(1), pages 123-139, February.
    13. Richiardi, Matteo & Bronka, Patryk & van de Ven, Justin, 2024. "Attenuation and reinforcement mechanisms over the life course," Centre for Microsimulation and Policy Analysis Working Paper Series CEMPA2/24, Centre for Microsimulation and Policy Analysis at the Institute for Social and Economic Research.
    14. Volha Lazuka, 2022. "Household and individual economic responses to different health shocks: The role of medical innovations," Papers 2206.03306, arXiv.org, revised Nov 2022.
    15. Jacob Novignon & Eric Arthur & Kwasi Gyabaa Tabiri & Yaw Boateng Atakorah & Justice Nonvignon, 2024. "Does health insurance mitigate the economic impact of negative health outcomes? Evidence from Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme," Journal of Social and Economic Development, Springer;Institute for Social and Economic Change, vol. 26(2), pages 582-602, August.
    16. Lee, Jongkwan & Yang, Hee-Seung, 2022. "Pandemic and employment: Evidence from COVID-19 in South Korea," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    17. Collischon, Matthias & Hiesinger, Karolin & Pohlan, Laura, 2023. "Disability and Labor Market Performance," IZA Discussion Papers 16100, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Health shocks; Labor market; Mechanisms; United Kingdom;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • J60 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - General

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