LSST Birmingham Lecturer Publishes Global Health Study on Employment and Inequality
By Kunal Chan Mehta | Article Date: 15 October 2025
LSST is proud to announce that Dr Michael Olusegun Demehin, DMU Course Coordinator, Module Lead and Senior Lecturer in Health and Social Sciences, at LSST Birmingham, has published an acclaimed new research paper uncovering the profound connections between employment status and health-seeking behaviour among urban slum dwellers in Lagos, Nigeria.
The study, published in the International Journal of Innovative Research and Advanced Studies (Vol. 12, Issue 8, August 2025), offers a compelling sociological and statistical exploration of how economic conditions and employment types shape people’s access to healthcare in developing urban contexts.
Titled “Employment Status and Health-Seeking Behaviour of the Urban Slum Dwellers in Lagos State Metropolis, Nigeria,” the paper draws on rigorous fieldwork across four local government areas, such as Apapa, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Lagos Island and Shomolu, to analyse how employment, age and gender influence healthcare choices. Using logistic regression models, Dr Demehin’s study found that employment status significantly predicts healthcare utilisation, with those in formal work being 1.5 times more likely to access healthcare services than the unemployed.
“This research reveals how work and wellness are intertwined,” said Dr Demehin. “For millions living in informal economies, employment does more than provide income—it defines dignity, dictates access, and determines who gets to live well. By expanding health coverage to include informal workers, nations like Nigeria can take a transformative step towards social justice and universal wellbeing.”
By bridging sociology, public health, social development and social policy, Dr Michael’s research demonstrates how LSST academics can contribute to shaping real-world debates on equality, inclusion and human development
The findings highlight a stark health divide rooted in economic inequality. With over half of Nigeria’s urban population living in informal settlements, Dr Demehin’s research urges governments to expand Nigeria’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and prioritise inclusive public health policies that leave no community behind.
“Dr Demehin’s work exemplifies LSST’s vision for socially conscious research that drives policy reform and empowers marginalised communities,” said Mr Ali Jafar Zaidi, LSST’s CEO. “His contribution to the field of global public health resonates far beyond academia—it embodies our belief that education should enlighten, engage and effect change.”
The study concludes with a powerful call for employment creation, equitable health investment, and strengthened community health infrastructure, aligning closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 — Good Health and Well-being.
By expanding health insurance coverage to include informal workers, nations like Nigeria can take a transformative step towards social justice and universal well-being
The full study is available in the International Journal of Innovative Research and Advanced Studies (IJIRAS).
For additional information or interviews, please direct questions to LSST’s Public Relations Manager via kunal.mehta@lsst.ac.
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