The widening gap in life expectancy between college-educated and non-college-educated Americans—a gap that has ballooned from 2.5 years in 1992 to over 8.5 years post-pandemic, as documented by economists Anne Case and Angus Deaton—presents a critical public health challenge. While college graduates mirror the upward trajectory of life expectancy seen in other wealthy nations, their less-educated counterparts experience stagnant or declining lifespans. A recent study published in *Social Science & Medicine* reveals a significant, yet often overlooked, factor contributing to this inequality: the decline of labor unions.
For decades, labor unions served as a powerful force in American society, with union membership in the private sector peaking at one-third in the mid-1950s. However, this influence has dramatically diminished, with only about 6% of the non-agricultural private sector currently unionized. The economic benefits of unions—reduced inequality and increased earnings for lower-paid workers—are well-established. However, our research suggests a far-reaching impact extending beyond economics.
Our study, utilizing the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID)—a long-running, high-quality longitudinal dataset—examined the correlation between union membership and mortality. We tracked individuals from early adulthood, analyzing their union membership duration and subsequent mortality rates. The results revealed a strong association: each additional year spent as a union member correlated with approximately a 1.5% lower risk of mortality after age 40. This effect was particularly pronounced among those most affected by the mortality crisis identified by Case and Deaton: individuals without a college degree, and white men, who historically comprised the majority of union members.
The significance of this 1.5% reduction becomes clearer when compared to the effect of employment overall. While the impact of union membership on mortality was about half that of employment—a finding consistent with the established link between work and health—its magnitude highlights the substantial consequences of the union decline. The erosion of union power over the past 75 years has had far-reaching and previously underappreciated effects on American health and well-being.
Unions have historically provided crucial support and stability for less powerful workers. Their decline has ramifications extending beyond wages, significantly impacting life expectancy. This vital connection has been largely overlooked by researchers and policymakers alike, who have actively diminished union power for decades.
Our findings underscore the need for public health officials to recognize worker power and voice as fundamental social determinants of health, directly contributing to the current mortality crisis. While a complete resurgence of the mid-20th-century labor movement may be unrealistic, given the significant opposition unions face, creative approaches to collective action are essential. Our research underscores the profound benefits of such efforts, demonstrating that labor organizing not only improves workers’ financial situations but also significantly extends their lifespans.
Author Bio: Tom VanHeuvelen is an associate professor of sociology at the University of Minnesota, specializing in the long-term causes and consequences of economic inequality. He holds a master’s degree in applied statistics and a PhD in sociology from Indiana University.
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