Work, Occupation, Income, and Mortality

Abstract

Work is a central feature in the stratification of society because it sorts individuals into more or less prestigious occupations; exposes workers to salubrious, dangerous, or stressful environments; and provides earnings that, if adequate, can be converted into wealth, housing, and additional education. Thus, it seems intuitive that work, earnings, and occupations would be associated with broader life chances, including the attainment of long and healthy lives. Our chapter has four major sections. First, we discuss the theoretical and methodological challenges regarding the myriad and multidirectional relationships among work, income, and occupation on one hand, and health and mortality on the other hand. Second, we review some of the major theoretical and empirical findings that link work, income, and occupation to individual mortality in more developed countries. Third, we describe how work, occupation, and income impact mortality in less developed countries where work and social safety net conditions may be quite different than in more developed countries. Finally, we discuss some of the aggregate, historical, and comparative research that links work and income to mortality. Throughout the chapter, we note how gender and the life course shape the relationship between work and mortality.