Danger, Will Robinson! Automation risk is damaging our health

Robots are taking over — and apparently making us sick.

Fear that a robot or computer could put workers out of a job may be directly linked to some physical and mental health issues, according to a paper by Ball State University researchers and a Villanova University professor, published in the April issue of the journal Social Science and Medicine.

“While estimates of potential job losses due to automation vary for our nation — with one as high as 47% — most people agree that the risk of automation is significant and growing,” said Ball State’s Center for Business and Economic Research Director Michael Hicks, who found in 2015 that job losses in the nation’s manufacturing sectors due to automation were as high as 88% in recent years. “People who live and work in areas where automation is taking place are sickened by the thought of losing their jobs and having no way of providing for themselves or their families.”

The researchers found that a 10-percentage-point increase in automation risk at the county-level worsens general, physical and mental health by 2.38 percentage points, 0.8 of a percentage point and 0.6 of a percentage point, respectively. The study estimates that the 10-percentage point increase in automation risk increases overall costs by $24 million to $174 million due to increased prevalence of poor or fair health, $6 million to $40 million due to increased physical distress and $7 million to $47 million due to increased mental distress.

The study also found that the South appears to have a higher percentage of people with worse health from exposure to automation risk. The Plains, Midwest and New England have better health outcomes. However, there is significant heterogeneity in health outcomes across the Rocky Mountain and Southwest regions. These patterns are consistent with general health patterns in the nation — health conditions are worse in the South, and better in the Plains, Midwest, New England and the West Coast.

Historic regional effects could be strengthening the influence of automation risk on health outcomes, according to the researchers.

“The actual and felt threats from automation may not immediately manifest into morbidities, but the increasing prevalence of poorer self-reported health and feelings of deteriorating physical and mental health can have a direct and lasting impact on individuals, families and communities,” Mr. Hicks said. “While we cannot fully unpack the black box between county-level automation risk and health, nevertheless it is important for policymakers to understand the health effects of automation risk.”

At least we’re not being terminated by Ahnuld!