Is there a trade-off between income and health? The case of hypertensive steelworkers in Canada.
It is often assumed that medical treatment creates a trade-off between good health and income; that is, an individual "pays" for good health by an income loss (at least at the early stages of treatment) compared, for example, with the no-treatment choice. We examined empirical data on hypertensive steelworkers in Canada to evaluate whether such a trade-off exists. We found none. Indeed, those who participated in a treatment program to reduce their blood pressure not only gained improved health but also made small income "gains." Our findings thus challenge the validity of the trade-off assumption and call for further studies of its generalizability.
D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D006262:Health; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics*; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D008669:Metallurgy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010349:Patient Compliance