Work

Mortality, morbidity, and occupational decline

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Is long‐term economic stress from occupational decline linked to poor health or death? Using Swedish administrative data matched with US occupational trends, I examine this in reduced form and using instrumental variables. Workers who in 1985 worked in occupations that subsequently declined unexpectedly were more likely to die early than similar workers in non‐declining occupations, with effect sizes of 6–19 percent of mean mortality. Cardiovascular deaths rose among men, while women faced higher mortality from alcohol, drugs, and suicide. Hospitalization days rose, as did prescription drug use for mental health problems. Effects were strongest for the lowest‐paid.

Source: Scandinavian Journal of Economics

DOI: 10.1111/sjoe.70014

Author: Sofia Bougt‐Hernnäs

Institution: Hanken School of Economics

Language: English

Topic: Employment and Welfare Studies

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,470