Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/223771 
Year of Publication: 
2020
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 13329
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
We study how a negative labor market shock like job loss generates health spillovers in couples. Using administrative data of all workers and firms matched to mortality and patient records, we document that male job displacement increases the mortality risk for both the man and his partner. For every 10,000 displaced men, there are 27 additional deaths over a 5-year period rising to 115 additional deaths over two decades. Of those, 60% accrue to the displaced worker but 40% are due to excess spousal mortality. Deaths from cardiovascular diseases jump up and hospitalization records show more treatments for alcohol-related disorders and mental health issues. We also find a stunning gender asymmetry: while male job displacement generates large and persistent health effects, no such dire health consequences are observed after a woman loses her job. We explore three explanations for the observed health spillovers: risk sharing through spousal labor supply; earnings losses and the role of public insurance; and the influence of gender roles and family structure.
Subjects: 
job displacement
mortality
spillovers
added worker
public insurance
gender roles
JEL: 
I14
J21
J63
J12
D13
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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