TY - JOUR

T1 - Влияние COVID-19 на неравенство в здоровье и трудоспособность: роль образования, дохода и занятости

AU - Подкорытова, Ольга Анатольевна

AU - Раскина, Юлия Владимировна

PY - 2025

Y1 - 2025

N2 - Human capital is a fundamental determinant of economic growth, and health deterioration as a component of human capital reduces labor productivity, increases absenteeism, and raises mortality rates. Global crises not only worsen public health but also amplify health inequalities, as vulnerable groups are disproportionately affected by these shocks. Understanding the factors that drive health inequality is essential for mitigating the impacts of future crises. This study identifies the socioeconomic and demographic factors contributing to health inequalities using survey data from employed residents of St. Petersburg collected during the peak of COVID-19 containment measures. Econometric analysis was conducted using binary choice and generalized ordered choice models to identify factors influencing workability and vaccination rates. Despite free vaccine availability and extensive government-led promotion, individuals with lower education, lower income, and self-employment status were particularly vulnerable to vaccination disparities. In contrast, older adults — facing higher health risks — had markedly higher vaccination rates, suggesting limited success in encouraging vaccination among younger people based on intergenerational solidarity. Disparities in workability based on income and education were also observed: lower-income and less-educated individuals were more likely to experience declines in workability during the pandemic. Notably, self-assessed health status emerged as a significant predictor of workability, highlighting the role of subjective health perceptions over objective health metrics. These findings can inform policies aimed at reducing health inequalities and increasing the resilience of vulnerable populations.

AB - Human capital is a fundamental determinant of economic growth, and health deterioration as a component of human capital reduces labor productivity, increases absenteeism, and raises mortality rates. Global crises not only worsen public health but also amplify health inequalities, as vulnerable groups are disproportionately affected by these shocks. Understanding the factors that drive health inequality is essential for mitigating the impacts of future crises. This study identifies the socioeconomic and demographic factors contributing to health inequalities using survey data from employed residents of St. Petersburg collected during the peak of COVID-19 containment measures. Econometric analysis was conducted using binary choice and generalized ordered choice models to identify factors influencing workability and vaccination rates. Despite free vaccine availability and extensive government-led promotion, individuals with lower education, lower income, and self-employment status were particularly vulnerable to vaccination disparities. In contrast, older adults — facing higher health risks — had markedly higher vaccination rates, suggesting limited success in encouraging vaccination among younger people based on intergenerational solidarity. Disparities in workability based on income and education were also observed: lower-income and less-educated individuals were more likely to experience declines in workability during the pandemic. Notably, self-assessed health status emerged as a significant predictor of workability, highlighting the role of subjective health perceptions over objective health metrics. These findings can inform policies aimed at reducing health inequalities and increasing the resilience of vulnerable populations.

KW - COVID-19

KW - Russia

KW - St. Petersburg

KW - health inequalities

KW - preventive health behaviors

KW - vaccination

KW - workability

KW - workforce health

UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/f49618a2-7daf-3489-b0ad-aa9643a94858/

U2 - 10.21638/spbu05.2025.105

DO - 10.21638/spbu05.2025.105

M3 - статья

VL - 41

SP - 92

EP - 113

JO - ВЕСТНИК САНКТ-ПЕТЕРБУРГСКОГО УНИВЕРСИТЕТА. ЭКОНОМИКА

JF - ВЕСТНИК САНКТ-ПЕТЕРБУРГСКОГО УНИВЕРСИТЕТА. ЭКОНОМИКА

SN - 1026-356X

IS - 1

ER -