A recent study conducted by Sweden’s Karolinska Institutet has shed light on the life-threatening consequences of precarious work conditions. Published in The Journal of Epidemiology and Community Reports, the research establishes a direct correlation between precarious employment and a significantly increased risk of premature death.
Understanding Precarious Employment
The term ‘precarious employment’ is used to describe job roles characterized by short-term contracts, temporary positions, low wages, and limited job security and benefits. Such conditions create an unstable and insecure work environment for employees.
The paper’s author, Theo Bodin, stated, “The risk of early death is higher if one keeps working in jobs without a secure employment contract.”
The Impact of Job Security
What makes this study particularly noteworthy is its focus on the positive effects of secure employment. The research analyzed data from over 250,000 Swedish workers aged 20 to 55, collected between 2005 and 2017.
The findings revealed that individuals who transitioned from precarious employment to stable, secure positions experienced a remarkable 20% reduction in the risk of premature death. This statistic underscores the crucial role that job security plays in promoting overall health and longevity.
Call for Systemic Change
Dr. Nuria Matilla-Santander, one of the study’s authors, stressed that reducing precariousness in the labor market could be a significant step in preventing premature deaths. The next phase of the research aims to delve deeper into the specific causes of mortality associated with precarious employment.
“We can be relatively certain that the difference in mortality is due to the precariousness of employment rather than individual factors,” she noted.
The study conducted by the Karolinska Institutet represents a significant contribution to understanding the public health implications of employment conditions. It underscores the urgent need for improving employment security as a preventive measure against premature death. Addressing the issue of precarious employment could lead to substantial improvements in overall well-being and life expectancy.
