Home – Home – Jornals – Region: Economics and Sociology 2023 number 4

Utilizing data from the Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey, the article assesses the impact of self-rated health and morbidity on hourly wage rates within the Russian labor market between 2015 and 2021. The primary method employed is econometric modeling. Through random effects panel models for the employed population, the study reveals that favorable health contributes positively to wages by 3-4%, whereas poor health leads to a wage reduction of 9%. Gender differences in health’s contribution are absent within the present period, albeit this contribution is generally lower than that of education. Lasso regression analysis demonstrated that health indicators, encompassing chronic conditions and multiple morbidities, served as predictors of wages among men. For women, not all chronic illnesses predicted wages. The study’s findings underscore the urgency of health promotion, capable of elevating labor productivity and wages. Personal health investments involve amplified physical activity, as well as tobacco and alcohol cessation. Proposed state interventions encompass proactive informational campaigns on preventative healthcare, medical evaluations in working environments, regular check-ups, and augmented access to sports facilities. Additionally, state initiatives should be directed towards enhancing employment opportunities, including tailored professional orientation and facilitating labor market integration for individuals with disabilities and chronic conditions. These collective endeavors to preserve and build health capital within a market economy seek to bolster labor productivity and represent a potential source of economic growth for Russia in the coming decade.