Underpaying People Can Be Deadly
Worker protest
Back in 2020, sociologists Angus Deaton and Anne Case identified a troubling trend they called “deaths of despair.” These are deaths from suicide, drug overdose, and gun-related violence. They found that while wealthier people tend to be healthier and live longer, those with lower incomes — especially people without a high school diploma or marketable skills — often struggle with feelings of depression and hopelessness, leading to an earlier death.
The good news is that there’s a policy solution that we can act on right now: raising the minimum wage. Not only would increasing the minimum wage help people move out of poverty and rely less on government assistance, but it could also reduce these “deaths of despair.”
People under financial stress are more than 20 times more likely to attempt suicide. In 2022, West Virginia had a suicide rate of 18.3 per 100,000 people, which is 65% higher than the national average and has increased by nearly 23% over the last 20 years. In fact, suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people in the state.
A 2020 study found that for every $1 increase in the minimum wage, there was a 3.4% to 5.9% decrease in suicide rates among adults aged 18 to 64 who had a high school education or less. That’s a significant impact that could save lives.
West Virginia also saw 81 gun-related homicides in 2021, 23 of which were linked to domestic violence. Raising the minimum wage could help reduce this too. Research from the American Journal of Preventive Medicine shows a connection between higher wages and a decrease in firearm homicides. People with financial stability are simply less likely to resort to violence.
The Jefferson County Democratic Association is advocating for raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour as soon as possible. The benefits of doing so are clear, and the drawbacks are few. If you’re looking for a way to reduce violence and improve overall well-being, raising the minimum wage could be a powerful tool — especially for those who believe in alternatives to gun control.
