Full Citation

Title: Assessing associations between insecure income and US workers’ health: An IPUMS-MEPS analysis

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2022

ISBN:

ISSN: 0277-9536

DOI: 10.1016/J.SOCSCIMED.2022.115240

NSFID:

PMCID:

PMID: 35985245

Abstract: Gig economy compensation policy initiatives, such as California Prop 22, are increasing the number of US workers receiving piece rate pay (PRP) and other forms of insecure income. However, there is limited evidence about how this trend affects people's health. Using data from the 2008-19 IPUMS Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), we examined associations between insecure compensation and US adults' self-reported overall health as well as psychological distress. We report significant associations with three types of insecure income — PRP, hourly, and daily pay — on overall health and psychological distress. These effects were robust to adjustment for suspected confounders, but point estimates suggested that the effect of each type of non-salary compensation differed by sex, level of education, income level, and health insurance coverage. These findings warrant policy makers' consideration as they balance the purported benefits of gig economy non-salary compensated work with implications for workers' health.

Url: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953622005469

User Submitted?: No

Authors: Thomas, Robert D.; Davis, John W.; Cuccaro, Paula M.; Gemeinhardt, Gretchen L.

Periodical (Full): Social Science & Medicine

Issue:

Volume: 309

Pages: 1-12

Data Collections: IPUMS Health Surveys - MEPS

Topics: Health, Labor Force and Occupational Structure, Work, Family, and Time

Countries: