Thesis Title:
What is driving the rapid rise in poor health and economic inactivity among young adults, and would policy to improve job quality and health behaviours be effective to improve longer-term health and employment outcomes?
Thesis Abstract:
Early adulthood (ages 16–30) is a crucial period when individuals establish` health behaviours. The transition into employment often brings changes to sleep, exercise, and other determinants of health. Many young adults experience “low quality work,” characterised by low pay, insecurity, and low job satisfaction, which can constrain healthy behaviours and contribute to poor health outcomes. Conversely, developing positive health habits at this stage may improve long-term health and help young adults access and sustain better-quality employment, supporting stronger career trajectories.
Rising rates of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET) are a major concern, with 12.2% of 16–24-year-olds now disengaged from work or study – a trend accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic. This growing economic inactivity, alongside rising reports of poor health, threatens to undermine young adults’ future earnings potential and wellbeing.
This PhD project will use the UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS) to examine how employment quantity, quality, and type shape health outcomes over time, and how social background and health influence employment trajectories. The findings will help identify whether improving job quality and supporting healthier behaviours could enhance both long-term health and employment outcomes.
Primary Supervisor:
Dr Eleanor Winpenny