American Economic Journal:
Applied Economics
ISSN 1945-7782 (Print) | ISSN 1945-7790 (Online)
The Roots of Health Inequality and the Value of Intrafamily Expertise
American Economic Journal: Applied Economics
vol. 14,
no. 3, July 2022
(pp. 185–223)
Abstract
In the context of Sweden, we show that having a doctor in the family raises preventive health investments throughout the life cycle, improves physical health, and prolongs life. Two quasi-experimental research designs—medical school admission lotteries and variation in the timing of medical degrees—support a causal interpretation of these effects. A hypothetical policy that would bring the same health behavior changes and benefits to all Swedes would close 18 percent of the mortality-income gradient. Our results suggest that socioeconomic differences in exposure to health-related expertise may meaningfully contribute to health inequality.Citation
Chen, Yiqun, Petra Persson, and Maria Polyakova. 2022. "The Roots of Health Inequality and the Value of Intrafamily Expertise." American Economic Journal: Applied Economics 14 (3): 185–223. DOI: 10.1257/app.20200405Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- D15 Intertemporal Household Choice; Life Cycle Models and Saving
- G22 Insurance; Insurance Companies; Actuarial Studies
- I12 Health Behavior
- I13 Health Insurance, Public and Private
- I14 Health and Inequality
- I18 Health: Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health