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April 17, 2024

Cluster-Seminar Public Finances and Living Conditions

Beyond Hot Flashes: The Health and Career Cost of Menopause

Date

April 17, 2024
11:00 bis 12:00 Uhr

Location

Anna J. Schwartz Room
Room 5.2.010
Mohrenstraße 58
10117 Berlin

Speakers

Mara Barschkett

Menopause marks a crucial juncture in women's lives and careers, coinciding with the peak of their income and working hours trajectory. On average, a third of women encounter severe health problems during this phase, exposing them to the risk of adverse labor market and health outcomes. Leveraging Norwegian registry data, coupled with panel data on doctor visits related to menopausal issues and representative survey data pinpointing the exact year of menopause onset, we employ a stacked difference-in-difference design to examine the impact of menopause onset on women's labor market outcomes, health, and its spillover effect on other family members. We show that women experience a reduction in earnings and working hours, an elevated likelihood of taking sick leave (both short and long-term), and increased visits to general practitioners, particularly for mental health problems. Additionally, we demonstrate that the onset of menopause negatively affects the earnings of partners.

(joint work with Sara Abrahamsson and Martin Flatø)

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