Local labor market fluctuations and health: Is there a connection and for whom?

• Published in: Journal of health economics Vol. 27; no. 6; pp. 1532 - 1550
• Main Authors: Charles, Kerwin Kofi, DeCicca, Philip
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.12.2008; Elsevier; Elsevier Sequoia S.A
• Series: Journal of Health Economics
• Subjects: African Americans; Body Mass Index; Correlation analysis; Cross-Sectional Studies; Economic conditions; Economic conditions Labor market fluctuations Physical health Mental health Health production; Economic fluctuations; Employment; Employment opportunities; Health administration; Health behaviour; Health production; Health Promotion; Health Status Indicators; Humans; Labor market; Labor market fluctuations; Labour market; Level of education; Local economy; Male; Men; Mens health; Mental Health; Metropolitan areas; Physical appearance; Physical health; Probability; Studies; U.S.A; Unemployment; United States - epidemiology; Weight; Weight gain; United States; United States > US; USA; Africa; Labor market fluctuations; E32; Physical health; Mental health; Health production; I12; Economic conditions
• ISSN: 0167-6296; 1879-1646
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2008.06.004

We examine the relationship between local labor market conditions and several measures of health and health behaviors for a sample of working-aged men living in the 58 largest metropolitan areas in the United States. We find evidence of procyclical relationships for weight-related health and mental health for men with low ex ante employment probabilities. Separate estimates suggest worsening labor market conditions lead to weight gains and reduced mental health among African-American men and lower mental health among less-educated males. Among our findings, those related to mental health are most pronounced.