Changes in long-term employment and income following COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among Jewish and Arab populations in Israel
Abstract Background The impact of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) extends beyond health, potentially affecting long-term income and employment dynamics. In Israel, disparities exist between Jewish and Arab populations across many dimensions, including socioeconomic. The study’s primary aim was t...
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BMC
2025-03-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22426-8 |
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| author | Haneen Shibli Paul Kuodi Amiel Dror Hiba Zayyad Ofir Wertheim Kamal Abu Jabal Saleh Nazzal Daniel Glikman Michael Edelstein |
| author_facet | Haneen Shibli Paul Kuodi Amiel Dror Hiba Zayyad Ofir Wertheim Kamal Abu Jabal Saleh Nazzal Daniel Glikman Michael Edelstein |
| author_sort | Haneen Shibli |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The impact of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) extends beyond health, potentially affecting long-term income and employment dynamics. In Israel, disparities exist between Jewish and Arab populations across many dimensions, including socioeconomic. The study’s primary aim was to compare changes in employment and income among COVID-19-infected and non-infected participants among Jews and Arabs, the two main population groups comprising the population of Israel. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study between March 2021 and June 2022 among adults employed prior to the pandemic, whose SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction test was processed in three hospitals in Israel’s Northern District. Using a validated online survey, we collected information about socio-demographics, SARS-CoV-2 infection, vaccination, employment (full-time, part-time, unemployed, retired), and income status by income bracket. Multivariate binary logistic regression models were used to estimate the associations between SARS-CoV-2 infection and (1) changes in employment status and (2) income decreases among Jewish and Arab participants. Results Of the 7741 respondents, 1468 met our inclusion criteria (fully answered employment questions, employed pre-pandemic). Of these, 19% were Arabs, and 36% (n = 523) reported SARS-CoV-2 infection. High-income earners were less likely to experience employment and income changes than low-income earners (OR = 0.4 for both, p < 0.01). After adjusting for age, gender, vaccination, income level, and other socio-economic factors, Arab participants who reported SARS-CoV-2 infection were more likely to report employment change and income loss (OR = 7.0 and 4.2 respectively, p < 0.01). No association between infection and changes in employment or income was found among Jewish participants. Conclusions After adjusting for potential socio-economic confounders, SARS-CoV-2 Infection was a significant determinant of employment changes and income loss among Arabs, but not Jews, in Israel. This finding suggests the pandemic has exacerbated pre-existing inequalities and highlights the need for economic recovery policies specifically targeting vulnerable groups. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2fbf8387c5d74890baac045b10689d08 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-2fbf8387c5d74890baac045b10689d082025-08-20T02:08:11ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-03-0125111210.1186/s12889-025-22426-8Changes in long-term employment and income following COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among Jewish and Arab populations in IsraelHaneen Shibli0Paul Kuodi1Amiel Dror2Hiba Zayyad3Ofir Wertheim4Kamal Abu Jabal5Saleh Nazzal6Daniel Glikman7Michael Edelstein8The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan UniversityThe Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan UniversityThe Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan UniversityThe Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan UniversityTzafon Medical CenterThe Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan UniversityTzafon Medical CenterThe Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan UniversityThe Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan UniversityAbstract Background The impact of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) extends beyond health, potentially affecting long-term income and employment dynamics. In Israel, disparities exist between Jewish and Arab populations across many dimensions, including socioeconomic. The study’s primary aim was to compare changes in employment and income among COVID-19-infected and non-infected participants among Jews and Arabs, the two main population groups comprising the population of Israel. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study between March 2021 and June 2022 among adults employed prior to the pandemic, whose SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction test was processed in three hospitals in Israel’s Northern District. Using a validated online survey, we collected information about socio-demographics, SARS-CoV-2 infection, vaccination, employment (full-time, part-time, unemployed, retired), and income status by income bracket. Multivariate binary logistic regression models were used to estimate the associations between SARS-CoV-2 infection and (1) changes in employment status and (2) income decreases among Jewish and Arab participants. Results Of the 7741 respondents, 1468 met our inclusion criteria (fully answered employment questions, employed pre-pandemic). Of these, 19% were Arabs, and 36% (n = 523) reported SARS-CoV-2 infection. High-income earners were less likely to experience employment and income changes than low-income earners (OR = 0.4 for both, p < 0.01). After adjusting for age, gender, vaccination, income level, and other socio-economic factors, Arab participants who reported SARS-CoV-2 infection were more likely to report employment change and income loss (OR = 7.0 and 4.2 respectively, p < 0.01). No association between infection and changes in employment or income was found among Jewish participants. Conclusions After adjusting for potential socio-economic confounders, SARS-CoV-2 Infection was a significant determinant of employment changes and income loss among Arabs, but not Jews, in Israel. This finding suggests the pandemic has exacerbated pre-existing inequalities and highlights the need for economic recovery policies specifically targeting vulnerable groups.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22426-8COVID-19EmploymentIncomeSocio-economicIsraelInfectious disease |
| spellingShingle | Haneen Shibli Paul Kuodi Amiel Dror Hiba Zayyad Ofir Wertheim Kamal Abu Jabal Saleh Nazzal Daniel Glikman Michael Edelstein Changes in long-term employment and income following COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among Jewish and Arab populations in Israel BMC Public Health COVID-19 Employment Income Socio-economic Israel Infectious disease |
| title | Changes in long-term employment and income following COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among Jewish and Arab populations in Israel |
| title_full | Changes in long-term employment and income following COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among Jewish and Arab populations in Israel |
| title_fullStr | Changes in long-term employment and income following COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among Jewish and Arab populations in Israel |
| title_full_unstemmed | Changes in long-term employment and income following COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among Jewish and Arab populations in Israel |
| title_short | Changes in long-term employment and income following COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among Jewish and Arab populations in Israel |
| title_sort | changes in long term employment and income following covid 19 sars cov 2 infection among jewish and arab populations in israel |
| topic | COVID-19 Employment Income Socio-economic Israel Infectious disease |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22426-8 |
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