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The Role of Health in Economic Development

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Author Info
Jocelyn E. Finlay () (PGDA, Harvard School of Public Health)

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Abstract

The role of health in economic development is analyzed via two channels: the direct labor productivity effect and the indirect incentive effect. The labor productivity hypothesis asserts that individuals who are healthier have higher returns to labor input. This is well tested in the empirical literature with mixed conclusions. The incentive effect is borne of the theoretical literature, and individuals who are healthier and have a greater life expectancy will have the incentive to invest in education as the time horizon over which returns can be earned is extended. Education is the driver of economic growth, and thus health plays an indirect role. Accounting for the simultaneous determination of the key variables - growth, education, fertility - the results show that the indirect effect of health is positive and significant. Without recognition of the indirect role of health the economic benefits of health improvements are underestimated.

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Paper provided by Program on the Global Demography of Aging in its series PGDA Working Papers with number 2107.

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Date of creation: Mar 2007
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Handle: RePEc:gdm:wpaper:2107

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Keywords: health; development; growth; education;

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  7. Xavier Sala-I-Martin & Gernot Doppelhofer & Ronald I. Miller, 2004. "Determinants of Long-Term Growth: A Bayesian Averaging of Classical Estimates (BACE) Approach," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 94(4), pages 813-835, September. [Downloadable!]
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