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Pandemic, Inequality and Public Health: A Quantitative Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Marcelo Arbex

    (Department of Economics, University of Windsor)

  • Luiz A. Barros

    (CAEN - Graduate Studies in Economics, Federal University of Ceara, Brazil)

  • Marcio V. Correa

    (CAEN - Graduate Studies in Economics, Federal University of Ceara, Brazil)

Abstract

This paper examines the role of the public health system and inequality during a health crisis (pandemic). We study a two-jurisdiction economy (rich, poor) with two household types (entrepreneurs, workers) and a shock affecting health goods demand and labor productivity. The presence of a public health system helps reduce health consumption inequality and lessens the impact of health shocks on non-health consumption inequality, especially when the pandemic leads to productivity loss. However, it also contributes to increased total consumption inequality, highlighting trade-offs in addressing inequality during a pandemic. Access to a public health system mitigates pandemic-driven inequality and dampens its rise.

Suggested Citation

  • Marcelo Arbex & Luiz A. Barros & Marcio V. Correa, 2023. "Pandemic, Inequality and Public Health: A Quantitative Analysis," Working Papers 2302, University of Windsor, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:wis:wpaper:2302
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Abel Brodeur & David Gray & Anik Islam & Suraiya Bhuiyan, 2021. "A literature review of the economics of COVID‐19," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 35(4), pages 1007-1044, September.
    2. Enrique G. Mendoza & Eugenio Rojas & Linda L. Tesar & Jing Zhang, 2023. "A Macroeconomic Model of Healthcare Saturation, Inequality and the Output–Pandemia Trade-off," IMF Economic Review, Palgrave Macmillan;International Monetary Fund, vol. 71(1), pages 243-299, March.
    3. Callum Jones & Thomas Philippon & Venky Venkateswaran, 2021. "Optimal Mitigation Policies in a Pandemic: Social Distancing and Working from Home [A simple planning problem for covid-19 lockdown]," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 34(11), pages 5188-5223.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Pandemic; Covid-19; Public Health; Inequality.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E60 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - General
    • H0 - Public Economics - - General
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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