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On the Constrained Contribution of Advances in Medical Knowledge to the Economic Growth of Developing Countries

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  • Alan Martina

Abstract

The conjectures examined are that: (i) advances in the medical knowledge are likely to have comparatively little (resp. considerable) impact on the rate of the growth of gross domestic product per capita (GDPPC) in a poor developing country if economic institutions are weak (resp. adequate); (ii) apparently strong economic institutions will have comparatively little (resp. considerable) impact on this rate of economic growth in this country if previously the level of health had not been (had been) raised to a minimum threshold level. The (limited) evidence presented indicates that the contribution that advances in medical knowledge are likely to make, in raising the rate of growth of GDPPC in developing counties, appears to be constrained at least by the level of economic institutions present in the country concerned.

Suggested Citation

  • Alan Martina, 2009. "On the Constrained Contribution of Advances in Medical Knowledge to the Economic Growth of Developing Countries," ANU Working Papers in Economics and Econometrics 2009-504, Australian National University, College of Business and Economics, School of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:acb:cbeeco:2009-504
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    File URL: https://www.cbe.anu.edu.au/researchpapers/econ/wp504.pdf
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • O43 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Institutions and Growth

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