Self-reported health versus biomarkers: does unemployment lead to worse health?

Abstract

Objectives: This paper examines the relationship between unemployment and health using both subjective and biometric information on health status.

Study design: Longitudinal panel data.

Methods: We compare the results of regressions of unemployment on self-reported health with those of regressions of unemployment on health as measured with biomarkers (hypertension and levels of blood glucose and C-reactive protein). Using the panel structure of our data, we account for selection bias with respect to unemployment by controlling for health before exposure to unemployment.

Results: We observe a striking pattern. Using self-reported health as the outcome variable, we find a link between unemployment and worse health. By contrast, we are unable to establish the same link using biometric information on health.

Conclusion: In conclusion, our results indicate a substantial discrepancy between self-reported health and health as measured by biomarkers.

Keywords: Biomarkers; Self-assessed health; Unemployment.