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Business cycles, migration and health
1Department of Economics, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 2424 Maile Way, Saunders Hall 533, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA. halliday@hawaii.edu
Illness can hinder migration as a strategy to mitigate economic downturns. Improved regional economic conditions may lead to better population health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Health Economics
- Sociology of Migration
- Labor Economics
Background:
- Migration is often used to buffer against economic shocks.
- The role of health status in migration decisions related to business cycles is underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine if illness impedes the use of migration for business cycle hedging.
- To understand the relationship between health, migration, and regional economic fluctuations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 10-year data (1984-1993) from the US Panel Study of Income Dynamics.
- Analyzed migration patterns, regional unemployment rates, and individual health status.
Main Results:
- Illness significantly obstructs migration as a business cycle hedging tool.
- Evidence is strongest for men, with weaker indications for married women.
- Suggests a link between economic expansion and improved aggregate health.
Conclusions:
- Health status is a critical factor influencing migration's effectiveness in economic stabilization.
- Policy implications may involve improving health infrastructure to support labor mobility during economic shifts.
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