Macroeconomic conditions, health and mortality
By: Christopher J. Ruhm.
Contributors: National Bureau of Economic Research.
Series: NBER working paper series ;; working paper 11007; Working paper series (National Bureau of Economic Research : Online) ;; working paper no. 11007.
Publisher: National Bureau of Economic Research
Published: 2004
Place of publication: Cambridge, MA
Language: eng
Format: Electronic resource
Subjects: Public health -- Economic aspects.; Business cycles.; Mortality.
Description: "Although health is conventionally believed to deteriorate during macroeconomic downturns, the empirical evidence supporting this view is quite weak and comes from studies containing methodological shortcomings that are difficult to remedy.  Recent research that better controls for many sources of omitted variables bias instead suggests that mortality decreases and physical health improves when the economy temporarily weakens.  This partially reflects reductions in external sources of death, such as traffic fatalities and other accidents, but changes in lifestyles and health behaviors are also likely to play a role.  This paper summarizes our current understanding of how health is affected by macroeconomic fluctuations and describes potential mechanisms for the effects"--National Bureau of Economic Research web site.
Notes: Also available in print.
Includes bibliographical references.
Title from PDF file as viewed on 1/4/2005.
System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Mode of access: World Wide Web.