Health and Labor Force Participation over the Life Cycle: Evidence from the Past (National Bureau of Economic Research Conference Report)

The twentieth century saw significant increases in both life expectancy and retirement rates-changes that have had dramatic impacts on nearly every aspect of society and the economy. Forecasting future trends in health and retirement rates, as we must do now, requires investigation of such long-term trends and their causes. To that end, this book draws on new data-an extensive longitudinal survey of Union Army veterans born between 1820 and 1850-to examine the factors that affected health and labor force participation in nineteenth-century America. Contributors consider the impacts of a variety of conditions-including social class, wealth, occupation, family, and community-on the morbidity and mortality of the group. The papers investigate and address a number of special topics, including the influence of previous exposure to infectious disease, migration, and community factors such as lead in water mains. They also analyze the roles of income, health, and social class in retirement decisions, paying particular attention to the social context of disability. Economists and historians who specialize in demography or labor, as well as those who study public health, will welcome the unique contributions offered by this book, which offers a clearer view than ever before of the workings and complexities of life, death, and labor during the nineteenth century. The 20th Century Saw Significant Increases In Both Life Expectancy And Retirement Rates - Changes That Have Had Dramatic Impacts On Nearly Every Aspect Of Society And The Economy. Forecasting Future Trends In Health And Retirement Rates Requires Investigation Of Such Long-term Trends And Their Causes. To That End, This Book Draws On New Data - An Extensive Longitudinal Survey Of Union Army Veterans Born Between 1820 And 1850 - To Examine The Factors That Affected Health And Labor Force Participation In 19th Century America. Reflections On The Early Indicators Project / Larry T. Wimmer -- Rich And The Dead / Joseph P. Ferrie -- Prior Exposure To Disease And Later Health And Mortality / Chulhee Lee -- Seasoning, Disease Environment, And Conditions Of Exposure / Daniel Scott Smith -- Height Of Union Army Recruits / Sven E. Wilson And Clayne L. Pope -- Prevalence Of Chronic Respiratory Disease In The Industrial Era / Sven E. Wilson -- Significance Of Lead Water Mains In American Cities / Werner Troesken And Patricia E. Beeson -- Internal Migration, Return Migration, And Mortality / Mario A. Sańchez -- Pensions And Labor Force Participation Of Civil War Veterans / Tayatat Kanjanapipatkul -- Effect Of Hernias On The Labor Force Participation Of Union Army Veterans / Chen Song And Louis L. Nguyen. Edited By Dora L. Costa. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "The papers in this volume all use new data that help us obtain a better understanding of health, migration, and work in the past. ... uses merged mortality and population schedules from the United States federal censuses of 1850 and 1860. ... based largely upon a unique longitudinal database that covers the life histories of men born between 1820 and 1850, and who reached age fifty-five between 1875 and 1905"--Page xi The rise in life expectancies and retirement rates in the 20th century has had dramatic impacts. This survey of Union Army veterans born between 1820 and 1850 examines the factors that affected health and labour force participation in 19th century America. While many events have clearly defined starting points, the origin of a research project is often more difficult to identify.