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on Health Economics |
| By: | Richard V. Burkhauser; Kevin Corinth; Thomas O'Rourke; Angela K. Rachidi |
| Abstract: | Non-disabled, working age adults without children are required to work 20 hours per week in order to maintain eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. However, states may waive the work requirement for areas that meet conditions reflective of a weak labor market. We construct a dataset with the waiver status of each United States county for every month from 1997–2023 and evaluate waiver coverage, counter-cyclicality and targeting. Waiver coverage has grown over time and in December 2023, when the national unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, waivers covered 29 percent of the U.S. population. In terms of counter-cyclicality, a county’s probability of receiving a waiver increases by 3.1 percentage points for every one percentage point increase in its unemployment rate. In terms of targeting, counties with an unemployment rate below 5 percent received 25 percent of waivers in the average month from 1997–2023. We simulate the effects on waiver eligibility of counterfactual regulations finalized in 2019—but never implemented—by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Altogether, the 2019 rule would have decreased waiver eligibility in all months, increased the responsiveness of waivers to county unemployment rates, and increased the share of waivers targeted to high unemployment counties. |
| JEL: | H53 I38 |
| Date: | 2024–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:33316 |
| By: | Natee Amornsiripanitch; Siddhartha Biswas; John Orellana; David Zink |
| Abstract: | Using data on expected flood damage and National Flood Insurance Program policies, we estimate annual flood risk protection gaps and underinsurance among single-family residences in the contiguous United States. Annually, 70 percent ($17.1 billion) of total flood losses would be uninsured. Underinsurance, defined as protection gaps among properties with positive flood risk and incentives to purchase full flood insurance coverage, totals $15.7 billion annually. Eighty percent of at-risk households are underinsured, and average underinsurance is $7, 208 per year. Underinsurance persists both inside and outside the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s special flood hazard areas, suggesting frictions in the provision of risk information and regulatory compliance. Seventy percent of uninsured households would benefit from purchasing flood insurance, even as prevailing prices rise. Household beliefs about climate risks are strongly correlated with underinsurance. |
| Keywords: | climate risk; physical risk; flood; underinsurance |
| JEL: | G22 G52 Q54 |
| Date: | 2024–12–23 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fip:fedpwp:99282 |
| By: | Hall, Caroline (d Uppsala Center for Labor Studies (UCLS)); Lindahl, Erica (IFAU - Institute for Evaluation of Labour Market and Education Policy); Roman, Sara (IFAU - Institute for Evaluation of Labour Market and Education Policy) |
| Abstract: | We study the effects of access to a child home care allowance on parents’ labor supply and childcare decisions, as well as their longer-term earnings trajectories and children’s school performance. To establish causality, we exploit variation in the availability of the allowance over time and across municipalities. The analysis is based on rich administrative data for the entiren Swedish population. Our results suggest a negative impact of benefit eligibility on mothers’ labor supply and earnings as well as on children’s enrollment in childcare during the time the family is entitled to the benefit (until the child turns 3 years old). Negative impacts on mothers’ earnings persist after benefit eligibility has expired and are still visible 7 years after childbirth. These effects are driven by mothers who lacked earnings before childbirth, while there are no lasting impacts for mothers with prior employment. We find no effects on fathers’ earnings. As for the children, our results suggest that access to the home care allowance had a negative impact on boys’ scores on standardized tests at age 10, while there are no significant effects on girls’ test scores. |
| Keywords: | Home care allowance; labor supply; earnings; childcare; preschool; school performance |
| JEL: | J13 J18 J24 |
| Date: | 2024–12–06 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:ifauwp:2024_023 |
| By: | Cristina Lopez-Mayan (AQR-IREA, University of Barcelona); Giulia Montresor (University of Verona); Catia Nicodemo (Brunel University of London & University of Oxford) |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates the impact of the school entry age policy on adolescent risk–taking behaviors. The policy mandates that children begin primary education in the year they turn six, creating relative age differences within cohorts due to a January 1st cutoff date. Using data from the Spanish School Survey on Drug Use, we analyze a comprehensive set of risky behaviors, including substance use, gambling, gaming, internet use, and sexual activity among students in the early adolescence in compulsory education. Employing an empirical strategy that compares students born in December (young–for–grade) and January (old–for–grade) while controlling for potential confounders, we find that young–for–grade students are less likely to engage in risky behaviors. Findings are consistent across various robustness checks. Further analysis suggests that both absolute age differences and educational cycle effects contribute to these findings. Gender–specific patterns reveal distinct effects for boys and girls, while school type shows limited variation. Notably, most behavioral differences diminish by late adolescence in high school. This research broadens our understanding of the non–academic impacts of school entry age policies contributing to the literature on education policy and adolescent development |
| Keywords: | risky health behaviors, school entry age, young–for–grade and old–for–grade students, education policy JEL classification: I12, I21, J13 |
| Date: | 2024–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:aqr:wpaper:202408 |
| By: | Siyan Liu; Laura D. Quinby; James Giles |
| Abstract: | Policymakers are increasingly interested in expanding access to paid leave, which includes temporary disability insurance TDI.Advocates argue that TDI could reduce reliance on Social Security disability insurance DI by helping workers adjust to health shocks and return to work.Our results show that access to TDI reduces DI applications a lot, DI awards a little, and boosts employment for workers with severe disabilities.For those with less severe conditions, though, TDI seems to lead to earlier retirement. |
| Date: | 2024–05 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:crr:issbrf:ib2024-10 |
| By: | Lan Zou (University of St.Gallen); Christian Biener (Institute of Insurance Economics, University of St. Gallen; Swiss Finance Institute; University of St.Gallen) |
| Abstract: | Existing research documents that consumers frequently make mistakes in health insurance markets, leading to price distortions and inefficient resource allocation. However, less attention is paid to how such mistakes contribute to health inequality, particularly when economically disadvantaged populations are more likely to make poor decisions. This study examines the distribution of choice quality in the Swiss health insurance market, using two sets of administrative linked survey data. We find that economically disadvantaged populations-those with lower incomes and less educationare significantly more likely to choose higher-coverage plans that are suboptimal given their health risks. Specifically, 49 percent of the population chooses plans that result in financial losses, with average foregone savings ranging from CHF 382 to CHF 457 annually. These suboptimal choices contribute to widening disparities in financial wellbeing. |
| Keywords: | health inequality, choice quality |
| JEL: | D81 D91 I18 I13 |
| Date: | 2024–09 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:chf:rpseri:rp24104 |
| By: | Andrén, Daniela (Örebro University School of Business) |
| Abstract: | This paper calculates the value of experiencing mental illness, either directly or indirectly through knowing someone near, family, or friends (NFF), who is affected. Using the well-being valuation method, which explores the trade-offs between income and self-reported experiences that maintain life satisfaction unchanged within a representative sample of the Swedish adult population, we found that the annual compensation ranges from 21-26 thousand Euros for those only directly affected to 30-37 thousand Euros for individuals affected both directly and indirectly. These results indicate the relevance of designing healthcare policies for good mental health that take in account both direct and indirect impacts of mental illness, and how mental illness is defined, measured, and discussed in societal and political contexts. Such policies can contribute to effectively address the broader economic and social consequences of mental illness. |
| Keywords: | mental illness; near family and friends; well-being; well-being valuation method; life satisfaction; Sweden. method; life satisfaction; Sweden |
| JEL: | D60 I10 I18 Z13 |
| Date: | 2024–12–23 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:oruesi:2024_012 |
| By: | Summerfield, Fraser |
| Abstract: | We document the long-run labor market consequences of youth bully victimization using NLSY97 data. Career outcomes measured at ages 19-40 account for life cycle bias. Victims exhibit lower earnings, lower job satisfaction and hold less-complex occupations. Fewer hours worked and shorter job tenure contribute to cumulative experience gaps that widen with age. Female respondents and adolescent victims are most significantly affected. A decomposition exercise shows that concurrent life-cycle health and education penalties explain half of the observed career penalties. Using household fixed-effects models and rich early-life covariates we show that selection into bullying on these dimensions cannot explain earnings penalties. Our results suggest a role for programs and policies that reduce health and human capital disparities of those bullied during youth. |
| Keywords: | Bullying, Life-cycle outcomes, Earnings, Non-cognitive skills, Human Capital |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:clefwp:306847 |
| By: | Sumana Kundu (Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research); Rupayan Pal (Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research) |
| Abstract: | This paper studies the role of individuals' social concern in a monopoly vaccine market characterized by externalities, and the first-best public policy. Considering a voluntary vaccination environment and social concern as private information, we show the following. A `spread-preserving, mean-increasing' shift in distribution of social concern induces the monopolist to curb vaccine coverage, unless there is sufficient heterogeneity in social concern. A `mean-preserving, spread-increasing' shift enhances vaccine coverage if vaccine quality and its marginal direct health benefit are sufficiently large. If net intensity of externality is stronger or vaccine quality is higher, for the monopolist to increase vaccine coverage, it's necessary to have significant heterogeneity in social concern. Monopoly-induced downward distortion in market coverage can be corrected through alternative balanced-budget profit-neutral policy interventions. Under endogenous vaccine quality, the monopolist provides a partially-effective vaccine. A performance-linked R&D subsidy that achieves socially optimal vaccine quality depends on the distribution of social concern. |
| Keywords: | Heterogeneity in social concern, Network externality, Vaccine quality, Monopoly pricing, Social optimality, Public policy |
| JEL: | D91 D42 D62 I11 I18 |
| Date: | 2024–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ind:igiwpp:2024-023 |
| By: | Ulep, Valerie Gilbert T.; Casas, Lyle Daryll D.; Talamayan, Jann Trizia; Villaseñor, Jon Michael; Bacatan, Elmira |
| Abstract: | Over the years, the Philippines has made progress in improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services. Despite this progress and sustained economic growth, waterborne diseases remain a leading cause of morbidity and hospitalization, particularly among the poorer segments of the population. Furthermore, much still needs to be done to achieve universal coverage of safely managed WASH services across all settings—schools, child development centers, health facilities, and households. These disparities contribute to a substantial disease burden that drives poor health and nutrition outcomes. Using various secondary data sources, this paper delves into the current state of WASH in the Philippines, including its link to nutrition. This paper explores the disease burden associated with WASH, the current conditions of WASH in the Philippines pertaining to both demand and supply factors, and the governance challenges hindering the achievement of universal WASH coverage. Significant disparities in access to WASH persist, particularly among the poorest households in the most disadvantaged areas. The last mile challenge in WASH is particularly evident in the poorest regions, where even basic water and sanitation services are lacking. This highlights the need to improve services for vulnerable populations. Bridging these gaps through streamlined governance, efficient resource allocation, and targeted local interventions in underserved areas is vital to achieving universal and equitable access to safe water and sanitation. Comments on this paper are welcome within 60 days from the date of posting. Email publications@pids.gov.ph. |
| Keywords: | water;sanitation;hygiene;last-mile challenge;Philippines;WASH |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:phd:dpaper:dp_2024-19 |
| By: | Ambar Lineth Chavez Espinosa; Akira Hibiki |
| Abstract: | This paper provides empirical evidence of how inefficient solid waste management (SWM) methods can exacerbate public health issues, particularly the incidence of diarrhea in children—one of the leading causes of death among children aged 0 to 4 in Panama. Additionally, it is found that infrequent solid waste collection services and indiscriminate furniture disposal increase the probability of dengue and diarrhea for household members and lead to blocked drains and floods. We conducted this research using repeated cross-sectional data from the Living Standards Measurement Surveys, covering 7, 640 children aged 0 to 4. To broaden our contributions, we collected data through a face-to-face survey of 154 households in Panama City. The findings underscore the urgent need to prioritize improved solid waste collection services and consistent access to tap water, which can help reduce the incidence of diarrhea in children and prevent floods and drainage blockages across the country. |
| Date: | 2024–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:toh:tupdaa:59 |
| By: | Leonard Wantchekon; Sally Zhang |
| Abstract: | Despite the widespread economic shocks faced by children in developing countries, the factors that contribute to resilience remain poorly understood. In this paper, we present three novel facts on the development of noncognitive skills using a longitudinal dataset from Ethiopia. First, we observe a weak correlation between parental wealth and noncognitive skills. Second, we find that while adverse weather shock cause a slight decline in cognitive test scores, they boost noncognitive skills, including generalized self-efficacy, self-esteem, and internal locus of control. Lastly, we show that past exposure to adverse weather shocks is correlated with better mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. We rationalize these surprising findings within a model of cognitive and noncognitive skill development, where child agency serves a key role. In this model, when a child chooses to exert effort during a particular period, they not only increase their immediate consumption, but it also enhances their noncognitive skills through “learning by doing.” Incorporation of child agency in human capital development result in model predictions that are consistent with the empirical results, and highlights the policy relevance of improving child agency. |
| JEL: | I25 I3 O15 |
| Date: | 2024–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:33305 |
| By: | Marie-Noëlle WOILLEZ |
| Abstract: | Some of the greatest impacts of climate change worldwide arise from increasing extreme weather events, including hot temperature extremes. As global warming is projected to further intensify in future decades, Vietnam will face increasing extreme heat events. In order to contribute to identify potential knowledge gaps on this issue and better inform adaptation policies, we performed a literature review of 61 documents published between 2005 and 2024 and dealing with extreme tempe-ratures and heat stress in Vietnam. We found that actually the two main topics of these documents are the urban heat island effect and the negative health impacts of high temperatures, but without taking climate change into account. Climatological studies focusing on hot extremes in Vietnam appear rather rare. The few studies identified all report increasing trends over the past decades, and the rare studies providing climate projections for Vietnam specifically or for vietnamese cities all point out to further increases. Hence, dangerous hot weather could occur up to several months per year. Overall, our review high-lights the need for further research on this issue in Vietnam in order to better anticipate potential heat-related damages and build relevant adaptation policies. |
| Keywords: | Vietnam |
| JEL: | Q |
| Date: | 2024–12–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:avg:wpaper:en17701 |
| By: | Avichai Snir (Bar-Ilan University [Israël]); Daniel Levy (RCEA - Rimini Center for Economic Analysis, Emory University [Atlanta, GA], Bar-Ilan University [Israël]); Dudi Levy (Bar-Ilan University [Israël]); Haipeng Allan Chen (University of Iowa [Iowa City]) |
| Abstract: | We report the results of surveys we conducted in the US and Israel in 2020, a time when many prices increased following the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. To assess respondents' fairness perceptions of price increases, we focus on goods whose prices have increased during the pandemic, including some essential goods. Consistent with the principle of dual entitlement, we find that respondents perceive price increases as fairer if they are due to cost shocks than if they are due to demand shocks. However, we also find large differences across the two populations, as well as across goods. |
| Keywords: | Dual Entitlement, Fairness Perceptions, Consumer Antagonism, COVID-19, Pandemic, Price Level, Price Adjustment, Price Increase, Price Rigidity, Sticky Prices |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04854450 |
| By: | Laura Muñoz-Blanco (University of Exeter); Federico Fabio Frattini (Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei) |
| Abstract: | The rising number of refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) presents new challenges for vaccine distribution and the spread of diseases. How do forcibly displaced population inflows affect infectious diseases incidence in host communities? Can a policy intervention that vaccinates children during their migration mitigate the impacts? To answer these questions, we examine the Pakistani mass internal displacement from the conflict-affected Federally Administered Tribal Areas in 2008. Using a difference-in-differences approach, we compare new polio cases in districts near and far from the conflict zone before and after 2008. The spatial distribution of districts relative to the historical region of Pashtunistan allows us to design a sample of comparable units. We show that a standard deviation increase in predicted IDP inflow leads to a rise in the new polio cases per 100, 000 inhabitants. Poorer vaccination levels among IDP compared to native children in host communities are one of the main mechanisms. Implementing a vaccination policy targeting IDP children during their migration journey helps bridge the vaccination gap, with important welfare implications. |
| Keywords: | Internal displacement, infectious diseases, vaccines, Pakistan |
| JEL: | D60 I15 O15 |
| Date: | 2024–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fem:femwpa:2024.30 |