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Is the 2003 SARS epidemic over? Long-term effects of epidemic exposure on mortality among older adults

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  • Fang, Guanfu
  • Feng, Jin

Abstract

Infectious diseases put health of millions at risk and induce large socioeconomic costs each year. However, the long-term effects of exposure to infectious diseases on the elderly have received minimal attention. Using data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, this study adopts a differences-in-differences strategy to evaluate the long-term effects of epidemic exposure on old-age mortality. We find that intense exposure to the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic led to an increase in old-age mortality after the SARS outbreak. We provide some suggestive evidence that exposure to SARS increased psychological stress and limitations in physical activities among old people.

Suggested Citation

  • Fang, Guanfu & Feng, Jin, 2021. "Is the 2003 SARS epidemic over? Long-term effects of epidemic exposure on mortality among older adults," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:chieco:v:67:y:2021:i:c:s1043951x21000365
    DOI: 10.1016/j.chieco.2021.101618
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Long-term effects; Mortality; Older adults; SARS exposure;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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