Good Times Make You Sick
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Christopher J Ruhm, Jefferson-Pilot Excellence Professor (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Abstract: This study uses microdata from the 1972–1981 National Health Interview Surveys (NHIS) to ex-amine how health status and medical care utilization fluctuate with state macroeconomic conditions. Personal characteristics, location fixed-effects, general time effects and (usually) state-specific time trends are controlled for. The major finding is that there is a counter-cyclical variation in physical health that is especially pronounced for individuals of prime-working age, employed persons, and males. The negative health effects of economic expansions persist or accumulate over time, are larger for acute than chronic ailments, and occur despite a protective effect of income and a possible increase in the use of medical care. Finally, there is some suggestion that mental health may be procyclical, in sharp contrast to physical well-being.
Good Times Make You Sick
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Created on 1/1/2003
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Journal of Health Economics, Vol. 22, No. 4, July 2003, 637-658
- Language: English
- Date: 2003
- Keywords
- Health status, Morbidity, Macroeconomic conditions