Young Adults, Mortality, and Employment

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the relationship between employment status and mortality over a 2-year period among a nationally representative sample of young adults aged 18 to 24 years (n = 121,478, representing more than 21 million US young adults). METHODS: By using data from the 1986-2000 National Health Interview Survey and its public-use mortality follow-up through 2002, mortality after 2-year follow-up (for each individual) was regressed on employment status at baseline, controlling for gender, race, education, season, and survey design. RESULTS: Having been employed was associated with significantly lower risks of all-cause, homicide, and "other-cause" mortality (adjusted odds ratios range: 0.51 to 0.60). CONCLUSION: Working appears to be a factor that may prevent premature mortality among young adults; increasing unemployment may result in increased mortality risks among young adults in the future.