Private renting is associated with faster epigenetic ageing

Main findings: 1) Living in a privately rented home is associated with faster biological ageing; 2) The impact of renting in the private sector, as opposed to outright ownership (with no mortgage), was almost double that of being out of work rather than being employed; 3) It was also 50% greater than having been […]

Air pollution reduces the individuals’ life satisfaction through health impairment

The impact of air pollution on individuals’ happiness and life satisfaction (LS), and its relationship to other factors became the focus of recent research. Though, the underlying mechanism of how air pollution impacts LS remains unclear. In this study, we examined the direct and indirect effect of air pollution on individuals’ LS through health […]

Understanding Society COVID-19 Survey briefing note: working at home

[…] COVID-19 survey to the answers respondents have given in previous (and future) waves of the annual Understanding Society survey thus allowing a more in-depth look at the impact of the pandemic. The COVID-19 survey is funded by the UKRI Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Health Foundation. Aim: Our core aim is […]

Long-term health conditions and UK labour market outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: Long-term health conditions can affect labour market outcomes. COVID-19 may have increased labour market inequalities, e.g. due to restricted opportunities for clinically vulnerable people. Evaluating COVID-19’s impact could help target support. Aim: To quantify the effect of several long-term conditions on UK labour market outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic and compare them to […]

The impact of excess body weight on employment outcomes: a systematic review of the evidence

[…] of excess body weight on employment outcomes, including productivity, labour supply, and discrimination. In this review, we provide a systematic synthesis of the evidence on the causal impact of excess body weight on labour market outcomes worldwide. Methods: We searched Econ Lit, and Web of Science databases for relevant studies published from 1st Jan […]

Has the UK campaign to end loneliness reduced loneliness and improved mental health in older age? A difference-in-differences design

Objective: To estimate the impact of the UK nationwide campaign to End loneliness on loneliness and mental health outcomes among older people in England. Design: Quasi-experimental design, namely, a difference-in-differences approach. Setting: Local authorities across England. Participants: Older adults aged 65 and over participating in waves 4-8 (2008-2017) of the English Longitudinal Study of […]

Improving questionnaire content for parents and families living apart

[…] questionnaire content in waves 14 and 15 of the main survey to improve the identification of and data we provide about families across households. The changes will significantly enhance the data we produce for scientific and policy research and impact and this Working Paper should help users understand the rationale and nature of these changes.

How has Covid-19 and associated lockdown measures affected loneliness in the UK?

[…] one or more of the following characteristics: they are young, living alone, on low incomes, out of work and, or with a mental health condition ; The impact on wellbeing from people at risk of loneliness is likely to be compounded by other economic and social impacts experienced by the same people, such as […]