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Anatomy of a health scare: education, income and the MMR controversy in the UK

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  • Anderberg, Dan
  • Chevalier, Arnaud
  • Wadsworth, Jonathan

Abstract

One theory for why there is an education gradient in health outcomes is that more educated individuals more quickly absorb new health-related information. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) controversy provides a case where, for a short period, some publicized research suggested that the particular childhood vaccine could have serious side-effects. As the controversy unfolded, uptake of the vaccine by more educated parents decreased relative to that of less educated parents, turning a positive education gradient into a negative one. We also consider the response in terms of uptake of other childhood vaccines and purchases of alternatives to the MMR.

Suggested Citation

  • Anderberg, Dan & Chevalier, Arnaud & Wadsworth, Jonathan, 2009. "Anatomy of a health scare: education, income and the MMR controversy in the UK," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 28600, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:28600
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Childhood vaccinations; health outcomes; education;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • H42 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Publicly Provided Private Goods

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