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Health is wealth: an empirical note across the US states

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  • Alexiadis, Stilianos
  • Eleftheriou, Konstantinos

Abstract

An attempt is made to establish the relation between risk-health factors (encapsulated in terms of obesity) and regional convergence, with special reference to the US states. The econometric results indicate that obesity does have an impact on regional growth and convergence. A preliminary examination of these findings shows harmful effects on the process of catching-up between ‘poor’ and ‘rich’ regions. Nevertheless, considerably more research is required before this relation can be discussed with confidence.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexiadis, Stilianos & Eleftheriou, Konstantinos, 2011. "Health is wealth: an empirical note across the US states," MPRA Paper 33517, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:33517
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Health risk factors; obesity; regional convergence; US states;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes
    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General

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