Study funded into impact of good health on society and economy

A STUDY into the impact of health on society and the economy is to be carried out by a team from the University of Sheffield.

The team, led by the university’s department of economics, has been selected by the Health Foundation to take part in a £2m programme.

Much is known about the impact of social and economic factors on health, the university has said, but there is little understanding of the contribution good health makes to society.

“This research will aim to establish the extent to which our health is a key factor in our ability not just to get a job, but to get ‘good work’ and achieve adequate reward,” said Jennifer Roberts, Professor of Economics and project lead. “Chronic health problems are increasing among people of working age and this has major implications for their chances of gaining (and keeping) employment, and of being adequately rewarded for their work.

“We want to inform policy in this area to mitigate the effects of health problems on the labour market, and to improve outcomes for individuals, firms and society as a whole.”

The Health Foundation programme, running up to three years, is supporting six projects to develop a case for investing in strategies to maintain and protect good health.

Jo Bibby, director of strategy at the Health Foundation, said: “Our wellbeing and health affects every aspect of our lives, from our work to our family and social life. Through this work we want to demonstrate the value that good health contributes to an individual’s social and economic outcomes in order to encourage greater investment in strategies that maintain people’s health throughout their lives.”