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Social inequalities in ‘sickness’: European welfare states and non-employment among the chronically ill

Author

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  • van der Wel, Kjetil A.
  • Dahl, Espen
  • Thielen, Karsten

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to examine educational inequalities in the risk of non-employment among people with illnesses and how they vary between European countries with different welfare state characteristics. In doing so, the paper adds to the growing literature on welfare states and social inequalities in health by studying the often overlooked ‘sickness’-dimension of health, namely employment behaviour among people with illnesses. We use European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) data from 2005 covering 26 European countries linked to country characteristics derived from Eurostat and OECD that include spending on active labour market policies, benefit generosity, income inequality, and employment protection. Using multilevel techniques we find that comprehensive welfare states have lower absolute and relative social inequalities in sickness, as well as more favourable general rates of non-employment. Hence, regarding sickness, welfare resources appear to trump welfare disincentives.

Suggested Citation

  • van der Wel, Kjetil A. & Dahl, Espen & Thielen, Karsten, 2011. "Social inequalities in ‘sickness’: European welfare states and non-employment among the chronically ill," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 73(11), pages 1608-1617.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:73:y:2011:i:11:p:1608-1617
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2011.09.012
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    7. Asya Bellia, 2021. "Disability and happiness: the role of accessibility," Discussion Papers 2021/284, Dipartimento di Economia e Management (DEM), University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
    8. Liliya Leopold, 2018. "Education and Physical Health Trajectories in Later Life: A Comparative Study," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 55(3), pages 901-927, June.
    9. Rydland, Håvard T. & Solheim, Erling F. & Eikemo, Terje A., 2020. "Educational inequalities in high- vs. low-preventable health conditions: Exploring the fundamental cause theory," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 267(C).
    10. Margot Annequin & France Lert & Bruno Spire & Rosemary Dray-Spira & and the ANRS-Vespa2 Study Group, 2016. "Increase in Unemployment over the 2000’s: Comparison between People Living with HIV and the French General Population," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(11), pages 1-17, November.
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