Brigitte Madrian, Olivia S. Mitchell, and Beth J. Soldo (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199230778
- eISBN:
- 9780191710971
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199230778.001.0001
- Subject:
- Business and Management, Pensions and Pension Management
As the leading edge of the “Baby Boom” generation in the United States reaches sixty years of age, members of this unusually large cohort born between 1946 and 1966 are poised to redefine retirement ...
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As the leading edge of the “Baby Boom” generation in the United States reaches sixty years of age, members of this unusually large cohort born between 1946 and 1966 are poised to redefine retirement — just as they have restructured educational, housing, and labor markets previously. Looking ahead, their numbers and energy are sure to have a major impact on national pensions, healthcare, and social safety nets. This book notes that “Boomers” will be better off than their predecessors in many ways, having benefited from the long run-up in housing prices, dramatic improvements in healthcare, and the expanding economy. On the other hand, the generation's sheer size will surely squeeze resources and require new approaches to retirement risk management. On average, the Boomers are in better financial and physical health than prior cohorts, and they can be anticipated to fare better than current retirees in absolute terms. Yet the distribution of retiree income and wealth will be less equal than in earlier years, and in relative terms, many Boomers will be less well off than their forebears. The chapters in this book use many invaluable models and datasets, including the incomparable Health and Retirement Study (HRS) which affords unique insights into the status of mature adults surveyed at the same age and hence same point in their life cycles, but at three different time periods. Chapter contributors offer new evidence about prospects for health and income during retirement, as well as pensions and housing equity, health, portfolio allocation, and financial literacy.Less
As the leading edge of the “Baby Boom” generation in the United States reaches sixty years of age, members of this unusually large cohort born between 1946 and 1966 are poised to redefine retirement — just as they have restructured educational, housing, and labor markets previously. Looking ahead, their numbers and energy are sure to have a major impact on national pensions, healthcare, and social safety nets. This book notes that “Boomers” will be better off than their predecessors in many ways, having benefited from the long run-up in housing prices, dramatic improvements in healthcare, and the expanding economy. On the other hand, the generation's sheer size will surely squeeze resources and require new approaches to retirement risk management. On average, the Boomers are in better financial and physical health than prior cohorts, and they can be anticipated to fare better than current retirees in absolute terms. Yet the distribution of retiree income and wealth will be less equal than in earlier years, and in relative terms, many Boomers will be less well off than their forebears. The chapters in this book use many invaluable models and datasets, including the incomparable Health and Retirement Study (HRS) which affords unique insights into the status of mature adults surveyed at the same age and hence same point in their life cycles, but at three different time periods. Chapter contributors offer new evidence about prospects for health and income during retirement, as well as pensions and housing equity, health, portfolio allocation, and financial literacy.
Michael D. Stein and Sandro Galea
- Published in print:
- 2020
- Published Online:
- April 2020
- ISBN:
- 9780197510384
- eISBN:
- 9780197510414
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780197510384.003.0043
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Epidemiology, Public Health
This chapter explores the importance of housing for public health. There are ample data linking poor housing conditions to a broad range of infectious diseases, chronic diseases, injuries, childhood ...
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This chapter explores the importance of housing for public health. There are ample data linking poor housing conditions to a broad range of infectious diseases, chronic diseases, injuries, childhood development and nutrition issues, and mental health concerns. In addition, the burden of poor housing is not distributed evenly across populations. Families with fewer resources are likelier to live in unhealthy homes, and they are less likely to be able to improve the condition of their living situations. Moreover, high housing costs often put families and individuals in the position of having to trade between healthy housing and other basic necessities, such as food or medication. Structural forces perpetuate housing inequities. Landlords and real estate agents have contributed to racial/ethnic segregation by blocking minorities from moving to predominately white neighborhoods, which often leads to the exclusion of minorities from high-quality housing, schools, and other public services. Further, predominantly minority communities receive less investment from lenders to improve housing quality and neighborhood environments. Thus, improving housing must mean improving housing equity, so that all can access the benefits of having a safe, healthy place to live.Less
This chapter explores the importance of housing for public health. There are ample data linking poor housing conditions to a broad range of infectious diseases, chronic diseases, injuries, childhood development and nutrition issues, and mental health concerns. In addition, the burden of poor housing is not distributed evenly across populations. Families with fewer resources are likelier to live in unhealthy homes, and they are less likely to be able to improve the condition of their living situations. Moreover, high housing costs often put families and individuals in the position of having to trade between healthy housing and other basic necessities, such as food or medication. Structural forces perpetuate housing inequities. Landlords and real estate agents have contributed to racial/ethnic segregation by blocking minorities from moving to predominately white neighborhoods, which often leads to the exclusion of minorities from high-quality housing, schools, and other public services. Further, predominantly minority communities receive less investment from lenders to improve housing quality and neighborhood environments. Thus, improving housing must mean improving housing equity, so that all can access the benefits of having a safe, healthy place to live.
