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Ethnic Inequality and Public Health

Author

Listed:
  • Sundar Ponnusamy

    (Monash University)

  • Mohammad Abbas Hakeem

    (University of Adelaide)

Abstract

We examine the association between ethnic inequality and various key health outcomes for a global set of developed and developing countries. Our results show that higher ethnic inequality is associated with a poor state of public health, such as higher child and maternal mortality, increased stillbirths and child stunting, and reduced life expectancy at birth. This set of effects is found to be predominant mainly in developing countries, and Sub-Saharan African countries. Results remain robust to the inclusion of various other measures of inequality, ethnic composition indices, geographic endowments, and other relevant controls. We argue that lower contraceptive usage and poor vaccination rates are potential mechanisms through which ethnic inequality affects health outcomes. Policies targeted at improving public health may need to focus more on these key intermediate channels in ethnic minority regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Sundar Ponnusamy & Mohammad Abbas Hakeem, 2023. "Ethnic Inequality and Public Health," Papers 2023-07, Centre for Health Economics, Monash University.
    • Handle: RePEc:mhe:chemon:2023-07
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Inequality; child mortality; health;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth

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