New research suggests that self-employment may offer health benefits—especially for women. A study led by Dr. Kimberly Narain at UCLA found that self-employed women had fewer risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), which includes conditions like heart attacks and high blood pressure, compared to women who work for someone else.
This adds to growing evidence that the type of work we do—and the environment in which we do it—can affect our physical health.
The researchers found that women, particularly white women and women of color, experienced better heart health outcomes when they were self-employed. White men also showed some benefits, though to a lesser extent.
However, self-employed men of color did not show the same improvements, possibly due to the unique financial and social challenges they face in the business world.
The study stands out because it used health data from lab tests and body measurements—such as cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and weight—instead of relying on self-reported health information, which can sometimes be inaccurate.
The data came from nearly 19,400 working adults who participated in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). It is also one of the first studies to look at how self-employment relates to heart disease risk while considering differences across gender and race.
Dr. Narain explained that the findings point to the deeper impact of our work environments on our health. “It is imperative to increase our understanding of how the work environment gets under our skin,” she said, “so we can come up with ways to ensure that everyone has access to a healthy work environment.”
Prior research has shown that people in high-pressure, low-control jobs—like administrative or clerical roles—are more likely to experience stress-related health problems, including high blood pressure and heart disease.
These jobs are often held by women and people of color. On the other hand, roles that offer more control and flexibility, like executive positions, tend to be linked with better health outcomes.
This new study adds to that understanding by showing that being self-employed—a role that often comes with greater autonomy—may offer similar benefits, especially for women who often juggle multiple roles at work and home.
Key findings from the study include the following:
Among white women who were self-employed, there was a:
- 7.4 percentage point drop in obesity
- 7.0 percentage point drop in physical inactivity
- 9.4 percentage point drop in poor sleep duration
Among women of color, self-employment was linked to a:
- 6.7 percentage point drop in poor diet
- 7.3 percentage point drop in physical inactivity
- 8.1 percentage point drop in poor sleep duration
White men who were self-employed saw:
- A 6.5 percentage point drop in poor diet
- A 5.7 percentage point drop in high blood pressure
However, self-employed men of color did not show the same health benefits. The researchers believe this may be because these men often face higher risks when starting businesses, such as limited access to funding, fewer mentors, and higher stress levels related to financial insecurity.
While the study shows strong links between self-employment and better health in some groups, it does have limitations. Because the study only looked at data from one point in time, it cannot prove that self-employment causes better health.
There could also be other factors at play—such as personality, financial resources, or life circumstances—that influence both a person’s work choices and their health.
Additionally, the study couldn’t separate people who chose self-employment from those who became self-employed because they lost a job or had no other options, which could also affect their stress levels and health outcomes.
Still, the research adds important insight into how work and health are connected. It suggests that giving people more flexibility and control over their work—especially women—may support better health, including lower risks for heart disease. The full study will be published in BMC Public Health.
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The research findings can be found in BMC Public Health.
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