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Heterogeneity in disease resistance and the impact of antibiotics in the US

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  • Cook, C. Justin
  • Fletcher, Jason M.

Abstract

We hypothesize that the impact of antibiotics is moderated by a population’s inherent (genetic) resistance to infectious disease. Using the introduction of sulfa drugs in 1937, we show that US states that are more genetically susceptible to infectious disease saw larger declines in their bacterial mortality rates following the introduction of sulfa drugs in 1937. This suggests area-level genetic endowments of disease resistance and the discovery of medical technologies have acted as substitutes in determining levels of health across the US. We also document immediate effects of sulfa drug exposure to the age of the workforce and cumulative effects on educational attainment for cohorts exposed to sulfa drugs in early life.

Suggested Citation

  • Cook, C. Justin & Fletcher, Jason M., 2022. "Heterogeneity in disease resistance and the impact of antibiotics in the US," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 47(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ehbiol:v:47:y:2022:i:c:s1570677x2200051x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ehb.2022.101155
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Difference-in-differences; Human Capital; Infectious disease; Genetic Resistance; Genetic Diversity; Antibiotics;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I1 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics

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