An opinion piece in The Globe and Mail: When the gig economy become a public health issue. This is not news to anyone who follows the social determinants of health, but it may be a shock to some the Globe's more affluent readers. Excerpt and then a comment:
Another day, another dollar, right? Not exciting maybe, maybe not that fun either, but at least predictable.
Having a job that provides a paycheque at regular intervals is a source of comfort, while not having one is a source of stress. Today, an increasing number of workers get that dollar some days but for one reason or another, some days they do not. As a result, they may be more or less employed, but stressed all at the same time. Income instability is becoming the reality for many, and with that instability comes worry and strain – and maybe health consequences as well.
There is indeed evidence to suggest that income volatility is hazardous to your health. A new study published in the journal Circulation had researchers tracking data for nearly 4,000 individuals in the United States starting from the age of 23 through to 35. Looking at income levels five times over that span, they also monitored individuals’ medical records during the same period.
Their findings showed that individuals with the biggest fluctuations in personal income had nearly twice the risk of death and more than twice the risk of heart problems such as strokes and cardiac arrest as compared with those with more stable incomes. Their conclusion: The trend toward fluctuating incomes poses a threat to public health.
See also my review of Dying for a Paycheck, an excellent book on the stress involved even in regular employment.
