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Do Fiscal Constraints Affect Health Inequality Research? A Bibliometric Perspective

Author

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  • Pietrovito, Filomena

  • Rancan, Antonella

  • Resce, Giuliano

  • Santangelo, Agapito Emanuele

Abstract

We conduct a bibliometric analysis to examine the evolution of health inequality research over nearly four decades (1986–2023), drawing data from Scopus, with the aim of analysing the influence of economists’ contributions to this interdisciplinary topic. We collect a total of 3,228 peer-reviewed papers using the keywords: "Health", "Inequality", and Economics" (including variations such as "economic" and "economy"). In the second part of the paper we assess the impact of external political and economic shocks, specifically the Fiscal Compact, on academic output related to health inequalities issues. To address this objective, a Difference-in-Differences (DiD) approach is applied, comparing research trends in countries that faced severe austerity measures with those that did not experience comparable fiscal constraints. Empirical analysis suggests that research output on health inequalities increased significantly in the aftermath of the Fiscal Compact in the affected countries. Our findings highlight how economic policies and austerity measures can influence academic research priorities, potentially as a response to increased societal concerns.

Suggested Citation

  • Pietrovito, Filomena & Rancan, Antonella & Resce, Giuliano & Santangelo, Agapito Emanuele, 2026. "Do Fiscal Constraints Affect Health Inequality Research? A Bibliometric Perspective," Economics & Statistics Discussion Papers esdp26102, University of Molise, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:mol:ecsdps:esdp26102
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • A12 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Relation of Economics to Other Disciplines
    • A13 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Relation of Economics to Social Values
    • H51 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Health
    • E62 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Fiscal Policy; Modern Monetary Theory
    • E65 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Studies of Particular Policy Episodes
    • O38 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Government Policy

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