Wealthy and healthy in the South Pacific

Jimenez, Eliana, Correa-Velez, Ignacio and Brown, Richard P. C. (2008). Wealthy and healthy in the South Pacific. Discussion Paper Series No. 378, School of Economics, The University of Queensland.

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Author Jimenez, Eliana
Correa-Velez, Ignacio
Brown, Richard P. C.
Title Wealthy and healthy in the South Pacific
School, Department or Centre School of Economics
Institution The University of Queensland
Series Discussion Paper Series
Report Number No. 378
Publication date 2008-09
Publisher The University of Queensland, School of Economics
Start page 1
End page 12
Total pages 12
Language eng
Subject 140208 Health Economics
1402 Applied Economics
Abstract/Summary Objectives: The main aim of this paper is to analyse the relationship between socio-economic status and health status at the household level in Fiji, a developing country in the South Pacific, based on original household survey data compiled by the authors. Method: We exploit the geographic conditions of Viti Levu, the relatively small main island of Fiji, to isolate the effects of household wealth on health. For households on this island physical distance is not a significant impediment for access to health care and other publicly-provided services. We use a constructed index of household wealth in place of the more commonly used income measure of socio-economic status. To control for reverse causality and other possible sources of endogeneity we use an Instrumental Variable strategy in the regression analysis. Findings: We find that a household’s socio-economic status, as measured by a constructed wealth index, has a substantial impact on the household’s health status. We estimate that if a household's wealth increased from the minimum to the maximum level, this would decrease its probability of being afflicted by an incapacitating illness by almost 50 per cent. Conclusions: Health outcomes from existing health services can therefore be improved by raising the economic well-being of poor households. Conversely, the provision of additional health services alone may not necessarily improve health outcomes for the poorest.
Keyword Socio-economic status
Health
Fiji

 
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Created: Thu, 30 Oct 2008, 12:38:14 EST by Diana Guillemin on behalf of Faculty of Business, Economics & Law