A recent study has revealed that women who are self-employed are less likely to develop risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) than those who work for others. The findings suggest that the type of work environment may influence heart health — particularly for women.
While some positive health links were also seen in self-employed white men, women showed the strongest benefits. Researchers believe this may be due to the unique stress women often face when balancing work and family. Self-employment could offer more flexibility and control, helping reduce that stress.
“In general, women are more likely than men to deal with the double burden of job and home duties,” said lead author Dr. Kimberly Narain, assistant professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. “That stress can affect heart health. Self-employment might ease that burden for some women.”
Interestingly, self-employed men of color did not show the same heart health benefits. The study did not draw firm conclusions about why, but it highlights the need for further research into how race, gender, and job type interact to affect health.
This research stands out because it used actual lab results and body measurements — not just self-reported data. It’s also one of the only studies to look at differences by gender and race when studying heart disease and employment.
Dr. Narain emphasized the importance of these findings. “Understanding how different work situations impact health can help us create better policies and workplace support — especially for women,” she said.
