New research reveals self-employed women show fewer cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors than women who work for employers. This suggests that the nature of self-employment itself may influence heart health.
The study highlights that women in self-employment may better manage stress and time demands, balancing work and home responsibilities more effectively. This balance could lead to healthier outcomes compared to non-self-employed women.
Though some positive links appeared among white self-employed men, women displayed the strongest protective heart health profile.
In contrast, men of color who are self-employed did not show the same health advantages.
UNIQUE STUDY USING LAB DATA AND PHYSICAL MEASURES
Unlike many previous studies relying on self-reported data, this research used lab tests and body measurements for more reliable insights.
Dr. Kimberly Narain, lead author and assistant professor at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine, emphasizes the novelty. The study uniquely considers both sex and racial/ethnic differences in heart disease risk factors linked to self-employment.
“There is a clear link between self-employment and heart disease risk, stronger among women than men,” Narain explains. She stresses the importance of understanding how work environments affect health to promote equitable, healthy workplaces.
WORK ENVIRONMENT’S ROLE IN HEART DISEASE RISKS
Past research shows job structure affects heart health. Higher-ranking jobs often lead to better health outcomes compared to lower-status roles often held by women and minorities.
Job control also matters. High-strain jobs with heavy demands and little autonomy can increase risks of hypertension and CVD. However, many of those findings relied on self-reporting, which can be biased.
DATA FROM THOUSANDS OF WORKING ADULTS
This study analyzed 19,400 working adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Researchers examined links between self-employment and multiple CVD risk factors. These included obesity, high cholesterol, hypertension, glucose intolerance, diet, physical activity, smoking, binge drinking, sleep, and mental health.
Researchers evaluated these factors by sex and race/ethnicity using biological and physical measurements rather than self-report.
KEY FINDINGS: WOMEN GAIN THE MOST
Self-employed white women showed:
- 7.4% lower obesity rates
- 7.0% less physical inactivity
- 9.4% fewer cases of poor sleep duration
Women of color who were self-employed experienced:
- 6.7% better diet quality
- 7.3% less physical inactivity
- 8.1% fewer poor sleep cases
Among white men, self-employment linked to:
- 6.5% improvement in diet
- 5.7% reduction in hypertension
CHALLENGES FOR MINORITY MEN ENTREPRENEURS
Self-employed men of color did not see the same health benefits. The study suggests this could be due to high business entry barriers, higher failure rates, less financial capital, and limited mentorship opportunities. These challenges may increase stress and reduce potential health benefits.
LIMITATIONS AND NEED FOR FURTHER RESEARCH
The study’s cross-sectional design limits causal conclusions. Researchers also note unmeasured factors such as personality and coping styles may influence both self-employment choices and health risks.
Additionally, the study could not separate those who chose self-employment from those forced into it by job loss or other pressures.
WORK ENVIRONMENT MATTERS FOR HEART HEALTH
This research highlights how work type can impact cardiovascular risk. It especially shows self-employment offers women some protective health benefits, likely linked to greater control over work-life balance.
The findings call for deeper exploration of how job conditions affect health across different populations. Such insights could help design healthier work environments for all.