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Reexamining the Contribution of Public Health Efforts to the Decline in Urban Mortality

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  • D. Mark Anderson
  • Kerwin Kofi Charles
  • Daniel I. Rees

Abstract

Using data on 25 major American cities for the period 1900⁠–⁠1940, we explore the effects of municipal-level public health efforts that were viewed as critical in the fight against foodborne and waterborne diseases. In addition to studying interventions such as treating sewage and setting bacteriological standards for milk, which have received little attention, we provide new evidence on the effects of water filtration and chlorination, extending the work of previous scholars. Although water filtration is associated with an 11⁠–⁠12 percent reduction in infant mortality, none of the other interventions under study appear to have contributed to the observed mortality declines.

Suggested Citation

  • D. Mark Anderson & Kerwin Kofi Charles & Daniel I. Rees, 2022. "Reexamining the Contribution of Public Health Efforts to the Decline in Urban Mortality," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 14(2), pages 126-157, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejapp:v:14:y:2022:i:2:p:126-57
    DOI: 10.1257/app.20190034
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Jing Zhao & Xiaoru Zuo & Chun-Ping Chang, 2023. "More economic growth with the better public health? Evidence from Western China," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 56(2), pages 1083-1112, April.
    2. Jacks, David S. & Pendakur, Krishna & Shigeoka, Hitoshi, 2023. "Urban mortality and the repeal of federal prohibition," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    3. Daniel Gallardo-Albarrán, 2024. "The Global Sanitary Revolution in Historical Perspective," Working Papers 0247, European Historical Economics Society (EHES).
    4. Marein, Brian, 2023. "Public health departments and the mortality transition in Latin America: Evidence from Puerto Rico," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    5. Toke S. Aidt & Romola J. Davenport & Felix Gray, 2023. "New perspectives on the contribution of sanitary investments to mortality decline in English cities, 1845–1909," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 76(2), pages 624-660, May.
    6. Claire Lepault, 2023. "Is urban wastewater treatment effective in India? Evidence from water quality and infant mortality," CIRED Working Papers hal-04232407, HAL.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H75 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Government: Health, Education, and Welfare
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • Q18 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Policy; Food Policy; Animal Welfare Policy
    • Q51 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Valuation of Environmental Effects
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling

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