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How countries can benefit from linking data

A recent study analyzed data from 41,516 refugees and 207,729 Swedish-born individuals to investigate the impact of mental and somatic illnesses on labor market integration. The study found that multimorbidity poses a significant risk for unemployment among young refugees, highlighting the need for targeted public health actions.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalFrontiers in Public Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 16, 2023

The myths around consumer financial vulnerability -- and how it affects most consumers at different points in their lives

Consumer financial vulnerability (CFV) is a risk of experiencing future harm given current access to financial resources and future uncertainty. Most consumers across the socioeconomic spectrum experience varying degrees of CFV at different life stages, due to factors like age, economic cycles, and unforeseen crises.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateFeb 22, 2023

Kessler Foundation awarded Social Security Administration funding to expand research for improving employment outcomes following neurotrauma

The five-year project aims to enroll 500 working-age adults with brain or spinal cord injuries and explore the effectiveness of vocational resource facilitation services. Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation and other partners will provide targeted counseling and support to help individuals return to work after disabling neurotrauma.

Working timelines for Swedish employees revealed over 15 years

A new analysis of Swedish workers' employment timelines highlights varying patterns of active work and work interruptions over 15 years. Women were found to be more likely to have longer periods of interruption due to parental leave and sickness-absence benefits, independent of socioeconomic factors.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 15, 2023

nTIDE December 2022 Jobs Report: Hot job market continues for people with disabilities despite efforts to cool the economy

The employment-to-population ratio for people with disabilities increased from 36.5% in November to 37.0% in December, up 1.4%, while it remained unchanged at 74.4% for those without disabilities. This surge continues the gains of the last four months and highlights the ongoing strength of people with disabilities in the job market.

The costs of racial discrimination in the labor market

New research reveals that reducing racial wage gaps would boost overall income by up to 4%. Closing these gaps would alleviate skill misallocation, unemployment, and improve labor market efficiency. The study aims to highlight the economic benefits of addressing inequality in the workplace.

SourceWiley·JournalEconomic Inquiry·DateDec 7, 2022

People with mental disorders lose years of their working life

A new study from Aarhus University found that people diagnosed with mental disorders work 10.5 years less than the general population. The researchers analyzed data from over 5 million individuals in Denmark and found that all types of mental disorders are associated with a substantial loss of working life.

SourceAarhus University·JournalThe Lancet·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 6, 2022

Rising housing cost to income ratio strongly linked to poor health, death, suicide

An international study found that housing cost to income ratio is strongly associated with preventable deaths and suicide in developed countries. However, social spending on pension and unemployment benefits can lower these risks. Housing policy measures such as public housing stock and rent controls also show protective effects.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·TypeObservational study·DateNov 16, 2022

Nearly twice as many Ontario family physicians stopped work in early COVID-19 pandemic compared to previous years

Researchers found that 3.1% of Ontario family physicians stopped working in the first six months of the pandemic, with higher rates among older physicians and those with smaller patient panels. The rate of physician stoppages rose from 1.6% between 2010-2019 to 3% in 2020, exacerbating Canada's primary care physician shortage.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateSep 27, 2022

Persistent low wages linked to faster memory decline in later life

A new study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that sustained low wages during working years are associated with significantly faster memory decline in older age. Low-wage earners experienced approximately one excess year of cognitive aging per a 10-year period compared to those who never earned low wages.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·DateAug 2, 2022

Deep economic divide found even among employed people during COVID-19

Researchers examined precarity in employed adults and found that most fell into two categories: those doing well financially and those struggling. The study highlights the need for organizations to consider the long-term consequences of using precarious work arrangements, which can lead to a less healthy and less productive workforce.

SourceWashington State University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateJul 11, 2022

New research finds higher unemployment insurance benefits lower the likelihood of self-employment

New research published in Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal suggests that higher unemployment insurance benefits discourage entrepreneurship by disincentivizing business creation and discouraging people from transitioning out of unemployment. Removing profit deduction requirements could encourage more unemployed entrepreneurs to start...

SourceStrategic Management Society·JournalStrategic Entrepreneurship Journal·TypeCase study·DateApr 1, 2022

Workers with disabilities overcome pandemic setbacks, outpacing people without disabilities to set new records for employment

A new report from Kessler Foundation reveals that workers with disabilities have exceeded pre-pandemic employment levels to reach historic highs, while those without disabilities still lag behind. The data show that labor force participation rates for people with disabilities increased from 33.6% in 2019 to 35.1% in 2021, outpacing the...

Predictability and meaningfulness of life help tackle long-term poverty

A Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare study found that people's ability to lead their lives, strive for important things, and make decisions supporting well-being is linked to manageable life circumstances, financial resources, sense of belonging, equal opportunities, and experiencing meaning. Social security provides faith in the...

SourceFinnish Institute for Health and Welfare·JournalJournal of Social and Political Psychology·DateFeb 25, 2022

Most unemployed young men have criminal records

A RAND Corporation study found that 64% of unemployed men in their 30s have been arrested and 46% convicted of a crime. Employment services should focus on aiding those with criminal history records to overcome stigma and secure employment.

SourceRAND Corporation·JournalScience Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 18, 2022