UM24-08: Race Disparities & Consequences of Cancer Diagnosis on Preretirement Work Disruption
Researchers
Abstract
Cancer is among the most common health problems that adults face, leading to work disruptions and, consequently, decreased economic security of workers and their families. Black adults have higher risks of cancer-related job disruptions than their white counterparts. No research has explored race differences in the association between occupational characteristics and cancer-related work disruptions in the 15 years leading up to retirement. This project will use newly released nationally representative data and linked spousal data on cancer diagnosis and treatment to evaluate race-differentiated, cancer-related preretirement job disruptions. To complete this project, we will develop data sets linking restricted Health and Retirement Study (HRS), O*NET-HRS longitudinal data, cancer diagnosis histories (including respondent and spousal treatments and mortality outcomes), and job transitions in the 15 years leading up to full retirement age (i.e., 51 to 65). We will then evaluate disparities related to job disruptions (i.e., a decline in work hours, departure from work, later return to work after departure), isolating race-differences in exposures to occupational characteristics.