Health, Work, and Well Being

By Sally Raskoff

The Gallup Poll has given us so much data about Americans over the years. At the end of 2011, they compiled some of their top findings on health. Many of those findings confirm common sense notions, yet not all of their findings are as expected. Taken together, however, they all paint an interesting picture of the health of the nation at the end of 2011.

Gallup found that the longer Americans are out of work and looking for work, the lower their well being. Fewer Americans are getting health insurance from their employers, and unhealthy workers cost industry over $153 billion per year in lost productivity. People who are emotionally disconnected from their work actually fare worse than those who are unemployed.

Focusing more specifically on health, obesity rates have declined slightly, and Colorado still has the lowest obesity rate in the country. Fewer Americans have enough money to buy food, no change has been seen in the rate of Americans who say they are suffering, and “more than one in six American workers” are caregivers to relatives or friends.

The methodology of the study is both intricate and innovative as they use both landline and cell phone interviews, reach 1,000 people per day, and weight their samples to match the population as a whole.

At this point in our economically troubled times, on one level, it looks like while we may be doing all right (no changes in the suffering rates), we are getting unhealthier in part because of lack of access to health care and good jobs.

Each of these findings can (and should) be analyzed further using sociological theories. For example, the let’s take a closer look at those who are “emotionally disengaged” from their work.

Per Gallup, these categories are as follows (emphasis added):

Engaged employees are involved in and enthusiastic about their work. Those who are not engaged are satisfied but are not emotionally connected to their workplaces and are less likely to put in discretionary effort. Those who are actively disengaged are emotionally disconnected from their work and workplace and jeopardize the performance of their teams.

This sounds like a great way to measure Marx’s concept of alienation. Marx wrote about how workers who cannot control aspects of their own work become alienated from not only their work but from themselves.

Gallup has defined two variables here: “employee engagement” and the “thriving/struggling/suffering” Life Evaluation scale. Both are relevant to Marx’ concept of alienation.

The findings show that those who are “actively disengaged” are more likely to be struggling compared to the others who are employed. Those who are more likely to be thriving appear to be those who are more engaged (involved and enthusiastic) with their work. Those who are unemployed also appear to be more likely to report that they are “struggling” and not “thriving,” but it is unclear without further analysis if such a small difference--1% is significant or meaningful.

Which other sociological theories or perspectives would help make more sense of one (or more) of these findings?

Comments

[Tam N.]

Your post has pointed out some interesting and important points that are often forgotten. I think that this is greatly related to workers in factory/production lines who are usually forgotten. I think this is because they do not have a degree so their voice is often not heard. I feel that in order for us to move forward this is a problem that the government has to fix. By changing worker conditions it will greatly improve our country's working capabilities.

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We need to work at the same time we need to take good care of our health. It's really nice to read article like this one.

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The world is becoming faster, but in trades, the work is almost the same now than it was 30 years ago. With the exception of some new types of tools. People expect things done faster and with the same quality. The world expects quality and speed, and this is what stresses out a contractor. Speaking from experience here, If someone wants a job done that should take a week in a few days. There will be a rush and that in turn takes a toll on quality. Give that contractor that full time and he will be able to provide a better quality product as well as a better attitude toward the job. We aren't machines, we are human.

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Obesity is certainly at a very high level still, and those people have health care access like anybody else.

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For some, it could be a certain weight or gaining a particular level of fitness. To others, it could simply mean feeling well, and free of pain, and able complete do their day to day activities without a struggle. It’s difficult to define, although according to the WHO (World Health Organisation) health isn’t just the absence of disease, but is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing. So to really be considered healthy, we need to look further than just the physical body.

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Thanks for bringing this up. In fact, this is very important and only worsened during the pandemic, as people stay at home more and are more in limbo. Of course, due to stress, job loss, changes in the rhythm of life, people are simply in constant excitement. I hope that soon this will pass and we will be able to live an ordinary life as calmly as before. It is good that you draw our attention to such important questions. And it seems to me that it is quite logical that if you lose your job, then the quality of life invariably also deteriorates. I really hope that soon it will pass and everything will work out.

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It is no secret that lack of money and constant search for work leads to a bad mood, and sometimes to depression. In general, an interesting social topic.

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The main thing is to keep balance in everything. Good work and good rest. Get qualified medical attention and exercise.

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The world expects quality and speed, and this is what stresses out a contractor. Speaking from experience here, If someone wants a job done that should take a week to a few days.

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I think this is because they do not have a degree so their voice is often not heard. I feel that in order for us to move forward this is a problem that the government has to fix.

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To others, it could simply mean feeling well, and free of pain, and able complete do their day to day activities without a struggle.

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Those who are unemployed also appear to be more likely to report that they are “struggling” and not “thriving,” but it is unclear without further analysis if such a small difference--1% is significant or meaningful.

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I agree with you that factory and production line workers are often forgotten and their voices are not heard. This is because they are often seen as unskilled workers who do not have a college degree. However, these workers are essential to our economy and their work is often very dangerous and demanding.

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[steve]

"This is a fascinating overview of Gallup Poll findings! It's interesting to see how data can confirm common sense notions while also revealing unexpected insights about the nation's health. I’d love to see more discussion on how these trends have evolved since 2011 and what they mean for our current well-being!"
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