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on Health Economics |
| By: | Christina M. Andersen; Jørgen Brandt; Jesper H. Christensen; Lise M. Frohn; Camilla Geels; Timo Hener; Marianne Simonsen; Lars Skipper |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the effects of daily outdoor air pollution variation on student test scores. Using Danish register data for all elementary and lower secondary students, we link home addresses to a 1 km x 1 km pollution grid to measure test day and lifetime pollution exposure. An increase in fine particles (PM2.5) from a very clean to an average day reduces math scores by 1.8% and reading by 0.9% of a standard deviation. Even at low pollution levels, student performance is harmed, especially in math. We find no evidence of heterogeneity by health, socio-economic status, or lifetime exposure. |
| Keywords: | air pollution, cognition, test scores |
| JEL: | Q53 I21 I18 |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_11434 |
| By: | Xinming Du; Lei Li; Eric Zou |
| Abstract: | This paper shows a cascading mechanism through which international trade-induced deforestation results in a decline of health outcomes in cities distant from where trade activities occur. We examine Brazil, which has ramped up agricultural export over the last two decades to meet rising global demand. Using a shift-share research design, we first show that export shocks cause substantial local agricultural expansion and a virtual one-for-one decline in forest cover. We then construct a dynamic area-of-effect model that predicts where atmospheric changes should be felt – due to loss of forests that would otherwise serve to filter out and absorb air pollutants as they travel – downwind of the deforestation areas. Leveraging quasi-random variation in these atmospheric connections, we establish a causal link between deforestation upstream and subsequent rises in air pollution and premature deaths downstream, with the mortality effects predominantly driven by cardiovascular and respiratory causes. Our estimates reveal a large telecoupled health externality of trade deforestation: over 700, 000 premature deaths in Brazil over the past two decades. This equates to $0.18 loss in statistical life value per $1 agricultural exports over the study period. |
| JEL: | F18 O13 Q23 Q53 |
| Date: | 2024–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:33143 |
| By: | Anna Perfilyeva; Vittal Raghavendra Miskin; Ryan Aven; Craig Drohan; Huthaifa I. Ashqar |
| Abstract: | This study sought to better understand the causes of price disparity in cesarean sections, using newly released hospital data. Beginning January 1, 2021, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requires hospitals functioning in the United States to publish online pricing information for items and services these hospitals provide in a machine-readable format and a consumer friendly shoppable format. Initial analyses of these data have shown that the price for a given procedure can differ in a hospital and across hospitals. The cesarean section (C-section) is one of the most common inpatient procedures performed across all hospitals in the United States as of 2018. This preliminary study found that for C-section procedures, pricing varied from as little as \$162 to as high as \$115, 483 for a single procedure. Overall, indicators for quality and whether or not the hospital was a teaching hospital were found to be significantly significant, while variables including median income and the gini coefficient for wealth inequality were not shown to be statistically significant. |
| Date: | 2024–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2411.08174 |
| By: | Adams-Prassl, Abi (University of Oxford); Jensen, Mathias Fjællegaard (University of Oxford); Petrongolo, Barbara (University of Oxford) |
| Abstract: | We develop new facts on relationships between the timing and spacing of births, parental leave take-up, and labor market outcomes using Danish administrative data. We document substantial heterogeneity in age at first birth across maternal skill levels. Average spacing of pregnancies is also tighter for highly skilled mothers, resulting in higher fertility levels and time on parental leave soon after first birth. We estimate event studies by skill level and find that much of child penalties in earnings and participation after first birth can be explained by incapacitation effects from parental leave around subsequent births, especially for the highly educated. |
| Keywords: | fertility, child penalty, skill |
| JEL: | J13 J16 |
| Date: | 2024–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17438 |
| By: | Bellés-Obrero, Cristina; La Mattina, Giulia; Ye, Han |
| Abstract: | The prevalence and determinants of intimate partner violence (IPV) among older women are severely understudied. This paper documents that the incidence of IPV remains high at old ages and provides the first evidence of the impact of access to income on IPV for older women. We leverage a Mexican reform that lowered the eligibility age for a non-contributory pension and a difference-in-differences approach. Women's eligibility for the pension increases their probability of being subjected to economic, psychological, and physical IPV. The estimated effects are found only among women in the short-term and are more pronounced for women who experienced family violence in childhood and those from poorer households. In contrast, we show that IPV does not increase when men become eligible for the non-contributory pension. Looking at potential mechanisms, we find suggestive evidence that men use violence as a tool to control women's resources. Additionally, women reduce paid employment after becoming eligible for the pension, which may result in more time spent at home and greater exposure to violent partners. |
| Keywords: | Non-contributory pension;intimate partner violence;retirement;Income |
| JEL: | I10 I12 I14 I31 |
| Date: | 2024–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:idb:brikps:13830 |
| By: | Adamopoulou, Effrosyni (ZEW); Cao, Yaming (ZEW); Kaya, Ezgi (Cardiff University) |
| Abstract: | We use the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health to explore how high school peers' grit, a personality trait characterized by perseverance and passion, influences long-term outcomes. Exploiting random variation within schools across cohorts, we find that peer grit significantly increases future earnings, especially for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. We identify two key mechanisms: an increased likelihood of employment in jobs aligned with career goals and a reduced probability of feeling overwhelmed by difficulties. Additionally, peer grit leads to higher job satisfaction and asset accumulation. Thus, peer grit's effects extend beyond short-term educational performance and persist into adulthood. |
| Keywords: | grit, peer effects, long-term outcomes, Add Health |
| JEL: | I24 J13 J24 |
| Date: | 2024–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17446 |
| By: | Rainer Kotschy; David E. Bloom; Andrew J. Scott; Rainer Franz Kotschy |
| Abstract: | Analysis of population aging is typically framed in terms of chronological age. However, chronological age itself is not necessarily deeply informative about the aging process. This paper reviews literature and conducts empirical analyses aimed at investigating whether chronological age is a reliable proxy for physiological functioning when used in models of economic behaviour and outcomes. We show that chronological age is an unreliable proxy for physiological functioning due to appreciable differences in how aging unfolds across people, health domains, and over time. We further demonstrate that chronological age either fails to predict economic variables when used in lieu of physiological functioning, or that it predicts additional effects on economic behavior and outcomes that are largely unrelated to physiological aging. Continued reliance on chronological age as a proxy for physiological functioning might impede the ability of societies to fully harness the benefits of increasing longevity. |
| Keywords: | population aging, chronological aging, physiological aging, physiological functioning, longevity |
| JEL: | I10 I30 J10 |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_11451 |
| By: | Villarraga-Orjuela, Alexander (Universidad del Norte); Hasselbrinck-Macias, Paul Joseph (Universidad del Norte); Rodríguez, Sandra (Universidad del Norte); Cuenca-Cora, María Esperanza (Universidad del Norte); Schmutzler-de Uribe, Jana (Universidad del Norte); De Castro-Correa, Alberto Mario (Universidad del Norte); Madariaga-Orozco, Camilo Alberto (Universidad del Norte); Ferro-Casa, Juan Pablo (Universidad del Norte); Zapata, Luis (Universidad del Norte); Vecchio-Camargo, Carolina Mercedes (Universidad del Norte) |
| Abstract: | Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, effective public communication became of utmost importance. This is especially true for the time after the easing of lockdowns, which meant an increased emphasis on personal responsibility and adoption of self-care measures. We conducted an experiment that tested three behavioral tools for communication —framing, population targeting, and social norms— to assess behavioral biases that pose a barrier to effective communication efforts and provide useful information for governments to use in crisis situations. In order to measure the effectiveness of the various communication features, we relied on an Attitudes Scale developed and tested for this purpose. |
| Keywords: | Behavioral biases; crisis communication; COVID-19; framing; population targeting; social norms; Attitudes Scale |
| JEL: | C91 D83 D90 D91 I12 |
| Date: | 2024–09–13 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:col:000418:021228 |
| By: | Margarita Almyranti; Eric Sutherland; Dr. Nachman Ash; Samuel Eiszele |
| Abstract: | Healthcare has progressed through advancements in medicine, leading to improved global life expectancy. Nevertheless, the sector grapples with increasing challenges such as heightened demand, soaring costs, and an overburdened workforce. Factors contributing to health workforce strain include ageing populations, increasing burden from non-communicable and chronic diseases, healthcare providers’ burnout, and evolving patient expectations. Artificial Intelligence (AI) could potentially transform healthcare by alleviating some of these pressures. But AI in health poses risks to health providers through potential workforce disruption – with changing roles requiring adapted skills with some functions subject to automation. Striking a balance between innovation and safeguards is imperative. |
| Keywords: | Artificial Intelligence, Doctors, Health, Health Data, Innovation, Medical Care, Productivity, Research, Skill Building, Technology, Training, Workforce |
| JEL: | I1 I10 I15 J21 J24 O33 |
| Date: | 2024–11–20 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:comaaa:28-en |
| By: | Schwartz, Daniella; Leiba, Rotem; Feldman, Cassondra; Spence, Nicole; Oratz, Ruth; Wald, Hedy; Roth, Steven |
| Abstract: | Antisemitism has been rising for decades and worsened following the events of Oct 7, 2023. Although anecdotal evidence suggests that these trends extend into the US medical community, quantitative data have been lacking. To address this gap, we quantitated publications about antisemitism, analyzed social media posts from the accounts of 220, 405 healthcare professionals, and disseminated a survey to members of Jewish medical associations. Publications and social media posts about antisemitism rose >5-fold, while posts promoting antisemitic stereotypes increased 2-4-fold. Most Jewish-identifying medical students and professionals (75.4%) reported exposure to antisemitism. Together, our results suggest that antisemitism is escalating within the US healthcare community. |
| Date: | 2024–10–28 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:osfxxx:9dvrj |