Economic Conditions and Mortality: Evidence from 200 Years of Data / David M. Cutler, Wei Huang, Adriana Lleras-Muney.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Cutler, David M.

Contributor:

National Bureau of Economic Research.

Huang, Wei.

Lleras-Muney, Adriana.

Series:

Working Paper Series (National Bureau of Economic Research) no. w22690.

NBER working paper series no. w22690

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource: illustrations (black and white);

Other Title:

Economic Conditions and Mortality

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, Mass. National Bureau of Economic Research 2016.

Summary:

Using data covering over 100 birth-cohorts in 32 countries, we examine the short- and long-term effects of economic conditions on mortality. We find that small, but not large, booms increase contemporary mortality. Yet booms from birth to age 25, particularly those during adolescence, lower adult mortality. A simple model can rationalize these findings if economic conditions differentially affect the level and trajectory of both good and bad inputs into health. Indeed, air pollution and alcohol consumption increase in booms. In contrast, booms in adolescence raise adult incomes and improve social relations and mental health, suggesting these mechanisms dominate in the long run.

Notes:

Print version record

September 2016.