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Heterogeneity in Disease Resistance and the Impact of Antibiotics in the US

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  • C. Justin Cook
  • Jason Fletcher

Abstract

We hypothesize that the impact of antibiotics is moderated by a population’s inherent (genetic) resistance to infectious disease. Using the introduction of sulfa drugs in 1937, we show that US states that are more genetically susceptible to infectious disease saw larger declines in their bacterial mortality rates following the introduction of sulfa drugs in 1937. This suggests area-level genetic endowments of disease resistance and the discovery of medical technologies have acted as substitutes in determining levels of health across the US. We also document immediate effects of sulfa drug exposure to the age of the workforce and cumulative effects on educational attainment for cohorts exposed to sulfa drugs in early life.

Suggested Citation

  • C. Justin Cook & Jason Fletcher, 2022. "Heterogeneity in Disease Resistance and the Impact of Antibiotics in the US," NBER Working Papers 30269, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:30269
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I1 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics

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