Research Paper
Thyroid dysfunction – can it help explain the gender wage gap?
Publication details
Summary
This paper aims to shed some light on the labour market implications of thyroid disease. Undetected hypothyroidism has adverse effects on wages for female workers, thus widening the existing gender wage gap. However, once female individuals are diagnosed (and therefore assumed to be treated) with hypothyroidism, they experience wage gains and have a higher employment probability. In relation to other labour outcomes, thyroid disease does not appear to play a significant role on individuals’ labour force participation decision and their working hours. Results suggest that productivity gains may drive the improvement in wages.