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Kawaguchi D, Lee J, Lin MJ, Yokoyama I. Is Asian flushing syndrome a disadvantage in the labor market? HEALTH ECONOMICS 2023. [PMID: 37088538 DOI: 10.1002/hec.4675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
A large fraction of people in East Asia are incapable of digesting alcohol because of a genetic deficiency. This study examines whether the variation in alcohol tolerance contributes to inequality in the labor market. We conduct our original surveys in Japan, Taiwan, and Korea with the measurement of respondents' degree of alcohol tolerance by a bio-marker test. We find that alcohol-tolerant men consume significantly more alcohol, but their earnings and hours worked do not differ from those of alcohol-intolerant men. Despite a prevalent view that drinking alcohol is indispensable to establish good relationships with colleagues and business partners, our results suggest that there is no systematic impact of alcohol tolerance on labor market outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jungmin Lee
- Department of Economics, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ming-Jen Lin
- Department of Economics, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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2
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Zemore SE, Lui C, Mulia N. The Downward Spiral: Socioeconomic Causes and Consequences of Alcohol Dependence among Men in Late Young Adulthood, and Relations to Racial/Ethnic Disparities. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2020; 44:669-678. [PMID: 31984509 PMCID: PMC7081966 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While young adults are generally at highest risk for alcohol problems, not all age out of problem drinking. Evidence suggests that Blacks and Latinos age out more slowly than Whites, particularly among men. Targeting men, we investigated whether differences in lifecourse SES might explain racial/ethnic disparities in alcohol dependence in late young adulthood, along with how experiencing alcohol dependence at that life stage relates to subsequent SES. METHODS We used longitudinal, national data to (i) describe racial/ethnic disparities in late young adult alcohol dependence criteria (LYADC), (ii) examine whether income trajectory in early young adulthood contributes to these racial/ethnic disparities, and (iii) test whether LYADC reciprocally predicts income trajectory in early midlife. Data were from the 1979 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (N = 3,993), which measured LYADC in 1994 (mean age = 33). Income trajectory classes were derived for early young adulthood (mean ages = 21 to 31) and, separately, early midlife (mean ages = 35 to 45). Analyses included negative binomial regressions and multinomial regressions. RESULTS Both Black and US-born Latino men reported more LYADC than White men. Further, membership in the persistently low and slow increase (vs. stable middle) early young adult income trajectory classes was associated with more LYADC. Multivariate analyses suggested that Black-White disparities in LYADC were explained by early young adult income trajectories, whereas Latino-White disparities in the same were explained by both early young adult income trajectories and early education. In controlled models, more LYADC predicted a higher likelihood of membership in the persistently low (vs. stable middle) income trajectory class in early midlife. CONCLUSIONS This study found that poorer SES in early adulthood contributes to alcohol dependence, which reciprocally contributes to poorer SES in early midlife. This cycle appears particularly likely to affect Black and US-born Latino men. Results underline the need to address socioeconomic factors in addressing racial/ethnic disparities in alcohol problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Zemore
- From the, Alcohol Research Group, Emeryville, California
| | - Camillia Lui
- From the, Alcohol Research Group, Emeryville, California
| | - Nina Mulia
- From the, Alcohol Research Group, Emeryville, California
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3
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Rinne H, Laaksonen M, Notkola V. High mortality in manual occupations and the role of alcohol in 2001–15. Eur J Public Health 2020; 30:788-793. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckaa017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The aim was to identify specific manual occupations with high mortality and to examine whether there are differences in the role of alcohol in explaining the excess mortality among manual occupations with high all-cause mortality.
Methods
A register-based study of employees aged 30–64 years, followed for mortality 2001–15. Age standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated to compare the mortality rates of manual occupations. The contribution of alcohol-related mortality to excess mortality was obtained by comparing the excess mortality in all deaths and deaths not related to alcohol.
Results
Men had 31 and women 11 manual occupations with SMR statistically significantly over 120 compared with all employees. Mortality rates were highest among building construction labourers (SMR 180) among men and building caretakers (SMR 155) among women. With few exceptions, high mortality was a combination of high alcohol-related and high non-alcohol-related mortality. Among men, the contribution of alcohol-related mortality to the excess all-cause mortality compared with all employees was over 10% in half of the high-mortality occupations. The contribution was highest among welders and flame cutters (50%) and lowest among farmer’s locums (−50%). Among women the contribution was highest among building caretakers (15%).
Conclusions
High-mortality occupations had high mortality even without alcohol-related deaths. However, alcohol-related mortality was generally higher than mortality for other causes; therefore, alcohol-related mortality increased further the excess mortality. Diminishing the alcohol-related mortality would level excess mortality of these occupations but not eliminate it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Rinne
- Rehabilitation Foundation, Helsinki, Finland
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Jørgensen MB, Pedersen J, Thygesen LC, Lau CJ, Christensen AI, Becker U, Tolstrup JS. Alcohol consumption and labour market participation: a prospective cohort study of transitions between work, unemployment, sickness absence, and social benefits. Eur J Epidemiol 2019; 34:397-407. [PMID: 30627937 PMCID: PMC6451700 DOI: 10.1007/s10654-018-0476-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the association of alcohol consumption and problem drinking on transitions between work, unemployment, sickness absence and social benefits. Participants were 86,417 men and women aged 18-60 years who participated in the Danish National Health Survey in 2010. Information on alcohol consumption (units per week) and problem drinking (CAGE-C score of 4-6) was obtained by questionnaire. The primary outcome was labour market attachment. Information on labour market attachment was obtained from the national administrative registers during a 5-year follow-up period. Using Cox proportional hazards models, we estimated hazard ratios (HR) for transitions between work, unemployment, sickness absence and social benefits. Analyses were adjusted for potential confounders associated with demography, health, and socio-economy. High alcohol consumption and problem drinking was associated with higher probability of unemployment, sickness absence and social benefits among participants employed at baseline compared with participants who consumed 1-6 drinks/week. High alcohol consumption and problem drinking was associated with lower probability of returning to work among participants receiving sickness absence at baseline compared with participants who consumed 1-6 drinks/week and with non-problem drinkers: HRs were 0.75 (0.58-0.98) for 35+ drinks per week and 0.81 (0.65-1.00) for problem drinking (CAGE-C score of 4-6). Similar trends for weekly alcohol consumption and problem drinking were observed among participants who were unemployed at baseline. In summary, problem drinking has adverse consequences for labour market participation and is associated with higher probability of losing a job and a lower chance of becoming employed again.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Bæksgaard Jørgensen
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Studiestræde 6, 1455 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jacob Pedersen
- The National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lau Caspar Thygesen
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Studiestræde 6, 1455 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Cathrine Juel Lau
- Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, The Capital Region, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne Illemann Christensen
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Studiestræde 6, 1455 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ulrik Becker
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Studiestræde 6, 1455 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Gastrounit, Medical Division, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Janne S. Tolstrup
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Studiestræde 6, 1455 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Lehti V, Gissler M, Markkula N, Suvisaari J. Mortality and causes of death among the migrant population of Finland in 2011-13. Eur J Public Health 2018; 27:117-123. [PMID: 28177440 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckw196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Lower mortality among migrants than in the general population has been found in many, but not in all, previous studies. The mortality of migrants has not been studied in Finland, which has a relatively small and recent migrant population. Methods People who were born abroad and whose mother tongue is not Finnish were identified from the Finnish Central Population Register (n = 185 605). A Finnish-born control matched by age, sex and place of residence was identified for each case (n = 185 605). Information about deaths was collected from the Finnish Causes of Death Register. Cox proportional hazards model was used for assessing the association between migrant status and death in 2011–13. Results The mortality risk was found to be significantly lower for migrants than for Finnish controls (adjusted hazard ratio 0.77, 95% CI 0.72–0.84), both for migrant men (aHR 0.80, 95% CI 0.73–0.89) and women (aHR 0.78, 95% CI 0.70–0.88). The difference was statistically significant only among people who were not married and among people who were not in employment. There was variation by country of birth, but no migrant group had higher mortality than Finnish controls. No differences in mortality were found by duration of residence in Finland. The higher mortality of Finnish controls was largely explained by alcohol-related conditions and external causes of death. Conclusions The mortality risk of migrants is lower than of people who were born in Finland. Possible explanations include selection and differences in substance use and other health behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venla Lehti
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.,University of Turku, Research Centre for Child Psychiatry, Turku, Finland
| | - Mika Gissler
- University of Turku, Research Centre for Child Psychiatry, Turku, Finland.,National Institute for Health and Welfare, Information Services Department, Helsinki, Finland.,Karolinska Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Family Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Niina Markkula
- National Institute for Health and Welfare, Mental Health Unit, Helsinki, Finland.,Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jaana Suvisaari
- National Institute for Health and Welfare, Mental Health Unit, Helsinki, Finland
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Jørgensen MB, Thygesen LC, Becker U, Tolstrup JS. Alcohol consumption and risk of unemployment, sickness absence and disability pension in Denmark: a prospective cohort study. Addiction 2017; 112:1754-1764. [PMID: 28544338 DOI: 10.1111/add.13875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2016] [Revised: 01/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
AIMS We investigated the association between weekly alcohol consumption and binge drinking and the risk of unemployment, sickness absence and disability pension. DESIGN Prospective register-based cohort study. SETTING Denmark. PARTICIPANTS A sample of 17 690 men and women, aged 18-60 years from the Danish Health and Morbidity Survey in 2000, 2005 and 2010 participated in the study. Participants worked the entire year prior to baseline. MEASUREMENTS Administrative registers were used to obtain information on unemployment, sickness absence and disability pension during a 5-year follow-up period. Data were analysed by multivariate Cox regression model with random effect (frailty) adjusted for cohabitation status, educational level, Charlson comorbidity index, smoking habits, calendar year and geographic region. FINDINGS Among males, adjusted hazards ratios (HR) of unemployment were 1.24 (95% CI 1.05-1.46, P = 0.01), 1.28 (95% CI 1.04-1.59, P =0.02) and 1.48 (95% CI 1.21-1.81, P = 0.00) respectively, for abstainers and those with alcohol consumption of 21-27 and ≥ 28 drinks per week when compared with individuals who had 1-13 drinks per week. Corresponding HRs for sickness absence were 1.16 (95% CI 1.02-1.33, P = 0.03), 1.02 (95% CI 0.85-1.23, P = 0.84), and 1.23 (95 % CI 1.04-1.46, P = 0.02). Male abstainers had increased HR for subsequently receiving disability pension. Female abstainers had increased HR of unemployment, sickness absence and disability pension compared to women with moderate alcohol consumption. Binge drinking was associated with higher HR of unemployment compared to non-binge drinking in women: HR of 1.21 (95 % CI 1.03-1.41, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS In Danish men aged 18-60, alcohol abstinence and heavy consumption is associated with increased subsequent risk of unemployment and sickness absence compared with low consumption. In Danish women abstainers have increased risk of unemployment, sickness absence and disability pension, while binge drinkers are more likely to become unemployed subsequently.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lau Caspar Thygesen
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ulrik Becker
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Gastrounit, Medical Division, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Janne S Tolstrup
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Böckerman P, Hyytinen A, Maczulskij T. Alcohol Consumption and Long-Term Labor Market Outcomes. HEALTH ECONOMICS 2017; 26:275-291. [PMID: 26634338 DOI: 10.1002/hec.3290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2015] [Revised: 09/03/2015] [Accepted: 10/26/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
This paper examines whether alcohol consumption is related to long-term labor market outcomes. We use twin data for Finnish men and women matched to register-based individual information on employment and earnings. The twin data allow us to account for the shared environmental and genetic factors. The quantity of alcohol consumption was measured by weekly average consumption using self-reported data from three surveys (1975, 1981 and 1990). The average of an individual's employment months and earnings were measured in adulthood over the period 1990-2009. The models that account for the shared environmental and genetic factors reveal that former drinkers and heavy drinkers both have almost 20% lower earnings compared with moderate drinkers. On average, former drinkers work annually approx. 1 month less over the 20-year observation period. These associations are robust to the use of covariates, such as education, pre-existing health endowment and smoking. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petri Böckerman
- Turku School of Economics, Labour Institute for Economic Research and IZA, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ari Hyytinen
- Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics, Jyväskylä, Finland
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Virtanen P, Lintonen T, Westerlund H, Nummi T, Janlert U, Hammarström A. Unemployment in the teens and trajectories of alcohol consumption in adulthood. BMJ Open 2016; 6:e006430. [PMID: 27016242 PMCID: PMC4809082 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2014-006430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2015] [Revised: 09/04/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The unemployed are assumed to adopt unhealthy behaviours, including harmful use of alcohol. This study sought to elucidate the relations between unemployment before age 21 years and consumption of alcohol from 21 to 42 years. The design was based on the conception of youth as a sensitive period for obtaining 'drinking scars' that are visible up to middle age. SETTING The Northern Swedish Cohort Study has followed up a population sample from 1981 to 2007 with five surveys. PARTICIPANTS All pupils (n=1083) attending the last year of compulsory school in Luleå participated in the baseline survey in classrooms, and 1010 of them (522 men and 488 women) participated in the last follow-up survey that was conducted at classmate reunions or by post or by phone. OUTCOME MEASURE The trajectory of alcohol consumption from 21 to 43 years, obtained with latent class growth analyses, was scaled. RESULTS Men were assigned to five and women to three consumption trajectories. The trajectory membership was regressed on accumulation of unemployment from 16 to 21 years, with multinomial logistic regression analyses. The trajectory of moderate consumption was preceded by lowest exposure to unemployment in men and in women. With reference to this, the relative risk ratios for high-level trajectory groups were 3.49 (1.25 to 9.79) in men and 1.41 (0.74 to 2.72) in women, but also the trajectories of low-level consumption were more probable (relative risk ratio 3.18 (1.12 to 9.02) in men and 2.41 (1.24 to 4.67) in women). CONCLUSIONS High-level alcohol consumption throughout adulthood is, particularly among men, partly due to 'scars' from youth unemployment, particularly in men, but there are also groups of men and women where unemployment in the teens predicts a trajectory of low consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pekka Virtanen
- University of Tampere, Institute for Advanced Social Research and School of Health Sciences, Tampere, Finland
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Tomi Lintonen
- The Finnish Foundation for Alcohol Studies, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hugo Westerlund
- University of Stockholm, Stress Research Centre, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tapio Nummi
- University of Tampere, School of Health Sciences, Tampere, Finland
| | - Urban Janlert
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Anne Hammarström
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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