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The Unequal Impact of the COVID Pandemic: Theory and Evidence on Health and Economic Outcomes for Different Income Groups

Author

Listed:
  • Aubert, Cécile

    (University of Bordeaux)

  • Dang, Hai-Anh

    (World Bank)

  • Nguyen, Manh-Hung

    (Toulouse School of Economics)

Abstract

This paper studies how wealth and health inequalities have interacted with the Covid-19 epidemic in a way that has reinforced inequalities in income, savings, epidemic risk and even individual preventive behaviors. We present in more detail two papers and their theoretical and empirical results. Recovery and contamination rates are functions of an individual's health status and capacity to access quality healthcare. Poorer individuals, who face budget constraints, have a higher risk of loosing their income because of contamination. Data on six countries confirm a disproportionate impact of the epidemic on the poorest 60% of the population.

Suggested Citation

  • Aubert, Cécile & Dang, Hai-Anh & Nguyen, Manh-Hung, 2022. "The Unequal Impact of the COVID Pandemic: Theory and Evidence on Health and Economic Outcomes for Different Income Groups," IZA Discussion Papers 15396, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp15396
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Hai-Anh Dang & Minh Do, 2022. "COVID-19 Pandemic and the Health and Well-being of Vulnerable People in Vietnam," Working Papers 628, ECINEQ, Society for the Study of Economic Inequality.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    poverty; behavior changes; healthcare; income quintiles; COVID-19;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D0 - Microeconomics - - General
    • H0 - Public Economics - - General
    • I1 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health
    • I3 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty
    • O1 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development

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