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By Sharanjit Uppal
Among the population 15 to 64 years of age, approximately 10% of men and 12% of women reported fair or poor physical health. Also, 6% of men and 7% of women classified their mental health as fair or poor. Almost one-half of the population (46% of men and 54% of women) had at least one chronic physical condition. And 15% of men and 18% of women reported at least one mental health problem.
The study included a number of models that looked at the relationship between various measures of health and the probability of working or the number of hours worked, while controlling for a number of other factors.
For those in fair or poor mental or physical health, the chances of being employed were lower than for those reporting good to excellent health. The effect was stronger for men than for women.
Similarly, the presence of at least one mental or physical condition reduced the chances of being employed and the effect was stronger for men.
The chances of being employed for men and women whose current health status was worse or much worse than a year ago were lower compared with those whose health status was the same or better.
Women reporting fair or poor mental health were estimated to work 136 hours (approximately 3.5 weeks) less annually than women in good to excellent health. Those with at least one mental health problem were estimated to work 102 hours (2.7 weeks) less than those with none.
