Work, Worklessness and the Political Economy of Health
- Title
- Work, Worklessness and the Political Economy of Health
- Speaker(s)
- Speaker: Professor Clare Bambra # Durham University
- Hosted by
- Introduced by
- Date and Time
- 9th Mar 2012 15:00 – 9th Mar 2012 16:30
- Location
- Seminar room 2, CMB, 15a George Square
- URL
- http://www.socialpolicy.ed.ac.uk/seminars_and_events/seminar_series/2011_2012/work,_worklessness_and_the_political_economy_of_health
Work and worklessness are central to our health and wellbeing and are the underlying determinants of health inequalities. Drawing on international research from public health, social policy, epidemiology, geography and political science, this talk will demonstrate how the material and psychosocial conditions in which we work have immense consequences for our physical and mental wellbeing, as well as for the distribution of population health. Recessions, job-loss, insecurity and unemployment also have important ramifications for the health and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities. Chronic illness is itself a significant cause of worklessness and low pay. However, countries with a more regulated work environment and a more interventionist and supportive welfare system have better health and smaller work-related health inequalities. Specific examples of policies and interventions that can mitigate the ill-health effects of work and worklessness are also discussed and the talk concludes by asserting the importance of politics and policy choices in the aetiology of health and health inequalities.
This page was published on
29 February 2012