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Analyzing health outcomes measured as bounded counts

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  • Mullahy, John

Abstract

This paper assesses analytical strategies that respect the bounded-count nature of health outcomes encountered often in empirical applications. Absent in the literature is a comprehensive discussion and critique of strategies for analyzing and understanding such data. The paper's goal is to provide an in-depth consideration of prominent issues arising in and strategies for undertaking such analyses, emphasizing the merits and limitations of various analytical tools empirical researchers may contemplate. Three main topics are covered. First, bounded-count health outcomes' measurement properties are reviewed and their implications assessed. Second, issues arising when bounded-count outcomes are the objects of concern in evaluations are described. Third, the (conditional) probability and moment structures of bounded-count outcomes are derived and corresponding specification and estimation strategies presented with particular attention to partial effects. Many questions may be asked of such data in health research and a researcher's choice of analytical method is often consequential.

Suggested Citation

  • Mullahy, John, 2024. "Analyzing health outcomes measured as bounded counts," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:jhecon:v:95:y:2024:i:c:s0167629624000201
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2024.102875
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Count data; Bounded outcomes;

    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • C25 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Discrete Regression and Qualitative Choice Models; Discrete Regressors; Proportions; Probabilities

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