Declining unions could be making working-class Americans less happy
3 days ago
- #unions
- #public health
- #opioid crisis
- Union membership decline affects more than wages and job security, impacting public health and happiness.
- Higher unionization correlates with increased happiness among low-income workers, but not higher-income individuals.
- Right-to-work laws, which weaken unions, have been adopted in 26 states as of late 2025.
- Declining union strength linked to increased opioid overdoses, especially among working-age men in dangerous jobs.
- Union membership in the U.S. has halved from 20% in 1983 to under 10% in 2024.
- Unions advocate for better working conditions, benefiting both members and non-members.
- Opioid overdose deaths surged from 17,500 in 2000 to 105,000 in 2023, with opioids being the primary cause.
- Despair and drug overdoses may stem from social and economic conditions, not just biological factors.
- Ongoing research explores if declining union membership has multigenerational impacts on public health.