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The Mitigating Effects of Unemployment Insurance on Short-Run Mortality

Author

Listed:
  • Hill, Andrew

    (Montana State University)

  • Regmi, Krishna

    (Florida Gulf Coast University)

  • Swensen, Isaac

    (Montana State University)

Abstract

Unprecedented increases in unemployment insurance (UI) claims and dramatic changes in UI delivery across the U.S. in recent years stress the importance of understanding the wide-ranging effects of UI receipt. We estimate the short-run effect of UI on suicide and drug overdose mortality following mass layoff events. Using quarterly county-level data from 1995-2010 and leveraging interactions between state-specific UI generosity and mass layoff events, our two-way fixed effects models and event studies show that more generous UI reduces suicide at the county level. These mitigation effects coincide with otherwise large spikes in mortality following mass layoff events in local communities. We find no effect on drug overdose deaths.

Suggested Citation

  • Hill, Andrew & Regmi, Krishna & Swensen, Isaac, 2026. "The Mitigating Effects of Unemployment Insurance on Short-Run Mortality," IZA Discussion Papers 18776, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18776
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J65 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment Insurance; Severance Pay; Plant Closings
    • H53 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Welfare Programs
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs

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