Volume 6, Number 3 February 2021

Unemployment and mortality in Philadelphia

Social and economic circumstances are important determinants of health. Factors like
KEY TAKEAWAYS
poverty and unemployment are associated with food and housing instability, higher rates

of chronic conditions such as diabetes, and higher risk of both contracting and dying from

COVID-19. Studies have shown a strong link between job loss and subsequent mortality, Unemployment is at a
and a link between unemployment and poor mental health that persists even
record high due to the
COVID-19 pandemic.
after retirement. Chronic unemployment, especially among men, is

particularly harmful for health.

Within Philadelphia,
mortality is higher in
Unemployment in Philadelphia—as in the country—has spiked in 2020, a consequence of
neighborhoods with
the COVID-19 pandemic. Like so many inequities during the pandemic, that spike has higher levels of chronic
been more pronounced and prolonged among Black and Hispanic/Latinx city residents. In unemployment.
this issue of CHART, we examine the relationship between unemployment and mortality
Chronic
in Philadelphia. unemployment and
mortality are linked
even after accounting
Definitions:
Unemployment assistance is the weekly number of people in Philadelphia who received for the level of poverty
unemployment compensation after the initial claim was approved (sometimes called in the neighborhood.
continued claims). Data source: PAWorkStats Weekly Unemployment Claims.
The working-age population is all residents of Philadelphia aged 16-64 years. Data
source: American Community Survey. Chronic male
Census tracts are small geographic areas with a population size of approximately 4,000
unemployment is an
persons. There are 372 census tracts in Philadelphia. Census tracts are defined by the US
Census Bureau. important marker of
The chronic unemployment rate is the percentage of working-age adults (16-64) who risk of early death.
were not employed at any time in the previous 12 months. Data source: American
Community Survey, 2018.
The poverty rate is the percentage of people living on an annual household income
below the federal poverty line, which was $25,100 for a family of four in 2018.
Source: American Community Survey, 2018.
The mortality rate is the age-adjusted number of people who died per 100,000
population in 2017. Data source: PA vital registration system, 2020, and American
Community Survey, 2018.

Philadelphia Department of Public Health | February 2021

Unemployment
spiked with the
COVID-19 pandemic

• Unemployment assistance jumped to unprecedented levels as the

COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020. During the week of May 16, near the
spring COVID peak, 12.6% of the working-age population in Philadelphia
received unemployment assistance (gray line).
• Unemployment increased in all race and ethnic groups, but the recovery
has been slower for Black and Hispanic workers compared to White
workers.
o In January-February 2020, before the pandemic, about 1.9% of
Black workers and 1.5% of Hispanic workers were receiving
unemployment assistance compared to 1.0% of White workers.
o As of May 16, 12.5% of Black workers, 9.9% of Hispanic workers,
and 12.0% of White workers were receiving unemployment
assistance.
o By December 19, 6.7% of Black workers, 4.1% of Hispanic
workers, and 3% of White workers were receiving unemployment
assistance.

Philadelphia Department of Public Health | February 2021

On average,
mortality is higher in
census tracts with
high rates of chronic
unemployment

• While there is variation among Philadelphia’s census tracts, in general,

census tracts with higher rates of chronic unemployment had higher
mortality rates.

Philadelphia Department of Public Health | February 2021

Mortality is more
tightly linked to
chronic male
unemployment than
chronic female
unemployment

• On average, census tracts with chronic male unemployment rates of

21-30% had mortality rates 28% higher than those of tracts with
chronic male unemployment rates of 0-10%, controlling for chronic
female unemployment rates (left panel).
• On average, census tracts with chronic female unemployment rates
of 31-40% had mortality rates 8% higher than those of tracts with
chronic female unemployment rates of 11-20%, controlling for
chronic male unemployment rates (right panel).
• Mortality rates are generally lower in tracts with low rates of chronic
unemployment compared to tracts with high rates of chronic
unemployment. A given percentage point difference in chronic male
unemployment is associated with a larger difference in the mortality
rate than the same percentage point difference in chronic female
unemployment.

Philadelphia Department of Public Health | February 2021

Mortality is higher in
tracts with high
chronic
unemployment no
matter what the
predominant
race/ethnicity

• The relationship between mortality and chronic unemployment

holds in census tracts that are predominantly non-Hispanic White
and Black: mortality rates are lower in tracts with lower rates of
chronic unemployment.
• The pattern appears to be the same in predominantly Hispanic
tracts, though there are too few predominantly Hispanic tracts to be
certain of the pattern.

WHAT CAN BE DONE

The Health Department is:
• Using data to identify public health interventions that can address the high burden of health challenges in
specific populations and neighborhoods.
• Working with other city departments and agencies to address the major underlying causes of death and
disability.
• Preparing to evaluate the health and mortality impact of City jobs programs as they roll out and expand.
• Piloting the Philly Youth Health Corps, a partnership with community-based organizations to provide jobs,
mentoring, and skill building in areas related to the prevention of chronic conditions and gun violence to
opportunity youth in the city.

Philadelphia Department of Public Health | February 2021

Health care providers should:
• Ask patients about their employment status and refer to relevant city services:
o Community College of Philadelphia offers financial aid including Octavius Catto scholarships for
first-time college students and links to career services.
o Philadelphia Works offers a variety of workforce development opportunities for youth and young
adults.
o PowerCorpsPHL engages disconnected young adults and returning citizens in advancing their lives
through service.
• Treat chronic male unemployment as a risk factor for poorer health outcomes, recognize its roots in
structural racism, and work with patients to optimize control of chronic conditions to minimize risk.
Employers can:
• Reach out to Philadelphia Works to learn more about their programs to help find, grow, and retain
workers.
• Learn about support for On the Job Training, an occupational skills training program that enables
employers to hire and train new employees at their place of business while being reimbursed.
• Consider starting an apprenticeship program. To learn more, visit apprenticeshipphl.org.
• Learn more about how to become an Employer of Choice, Fueling Philadelphia’s Talent Engine and
partner, by contacting the Commerce Department Workforce Division.

TECHNICAL NOTES
• All mortality rates are age-adjusted using the 2000 US population.
• Seven census tracts with population < 1000 are excluded from the analysis. One census tract, largely
comprised of Philadelphia’s prisons, is also excluded.
• Average mortality rates are estimated from linear regression models.
• Error bars on graphs are 95% confidence intervals.
• The low/medium/high designations for chronic unemployment are based on tertiles of all tracts.

Suggested citation:
Philadelphia Department of Public Health. Unemployment and mortality in Philadelphia. CHART 2021;6(3):1-6.

215-686-5200
[email protected]
Thomas Farley, MD, MPH http://www.phila.gov/health
Commissioner @phlpublichealth
Philadelphia Department of Public Health
1101 Market Street, 13th floor All PDPH charts are available at
Philadelphia, PA 19107 http://www.phila.gov/health

Philadelphia Department of Public Health | February 2021