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Medical Technology and Life Expectancy: Evidence from the Antitoxin Treatment of Diphtheria

Author

Listed:
  • Philipp Ager

    (University of Mannheim and CEPR)

  • Casper Worm Hansen

    (University of Copenhagen and CEPR)

  • Peter Z. Lin

    (Western Kentucky University)

Abstract

This paper studies the impact of the first effective medical treatment for an infectious disease -diphtheria antitoxin- on the historical health transition in the United States. Using an instrumental variable for local antitoxin adoption rates and information from approximately 1.6 million death certificates from 1880 to 1914, we find that the rapid diffusion of antitoxin led to a substantial decline in diphtheria mortality rates and increased life expectancy at birth. Exposure to antitoxin also significantly reduced school absenteeism. Overall, our results suggest that medicine played a more important role in increasing life expectancy in the early 20th century than previously thought.

Suggested Citation

  • Philipp Ager & Casper Worm Hansen & Peter Z. Lin, 2023. "Medical Technology and Life Expectancy: Evidence from the Antitoxin Treatment of Diphtheria," Working Papers 0241, European Historical Economics Society (EHES).
    • Handle: RePEc:hes:wpaper:0241
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Life expectancy; medical technology; antitoxin;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J11 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Demographic Trends, Macroeconomic Effects, and Forecasts
    • N32 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - U.S.; Canada: 1913-
    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development

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