Examining the Relation between Gender Disparity in Health and Employment, Education, and Family Roles: Evidence from Taiwan

Gang-Hua Fan

Using data from the 1999, 2000, and 2003 Panel Study of Family Dynamics in Taiwan, this paper examines the relation between gender disparity in health and employment, education, and family roles. Adjusted for age and household income, the gender disparity in health is mainly explained by gender differences in employment status and educational attainments. The hypothesis that women working in family firms tend to have worse health outcomes is not fully supported. Women working in family business reported more limiting long-standing illness but better health than those working for non-family firms and being self-employed. The positive health effect of employment becomes greater as working hour increases among lower educated men and women, but it decreases for higher educated ones. Family demands are not significantly associated with health for most individuals. The positive health effect of being married or cohabited without having young children only shows among lower educated men.