Lavelle: Women more likely than men to lose health insurance after divorce

February 17, 2012

Women are at greater risk than men of losing health insurance after a divorce, according to a new study led by Ford School doctoral candidate Bridget Lavelle.

Lavelle, the study's lead researcher, discussed the findings Friday on "Here and Now," a program by Boston's National Public Radio station, WBUR.

Lavelle said the women most at risk of losing insurance are those covered under their spouse's plan.

"Roughly 1-in-4 of these women become uninsured in the months following divorce," she said.

Lavelle conducted the study through the University's Population Studies Center. She joined the Public Policy and Economics joint doctorate program in Fall 2008.