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Pandemic, inequality and public health: A quantitative analysis

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  • Arbex, Marcelo
  • Barros, Luiz A.
  • Corrêa, Márcio V.

Abstract

This paper examines the role of the public health system and inequality during a health crisis (pandemic). We study a two-jurisdiction economy (rich, poor) with two household types (entrepreneurs, workers) and a shock affecting health goods demand and labor productivity. The presence of a public health system helps reduce health consumption inequality and lessens the impact of health shocks on non-health consumption inequality, especially when the pandemic leads to productivity loss. However, it also contributes to increased total consumption inequality, highlighting trade-offs in addressing inequality during a pandemic. Public health provision mitigates pandemic-driven inequality and dampens its rise.

Suggested Citation

  • Arbex, Marcelo & Barros, Luiz A. & Corrêa, Márcio V., 2024. "Pandemic, inequality and public health: A quantitative analysis," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:quaeco:v:97:y:2024:i:c:s1062976924000851
    DOI: 10.1016/j.qref.2024.101879
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    1. Abel Brodeur & David Gray & Anik Islam & Suraiya Bhuiyan, 2021. "A literature review of the economics of COVID‐19," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 35(4), pages 1007-1044, September.
    2. Enrique G. Mendoza & Eugenio Rojas & Linda L. Tesar & Jing Zhang, 2023. "A Macroeconomic Model of Healthcare Saturation, Inequality and the Output–Pandemia Trade-off," IMF Economic Review, Palgrave Macmillan;International Monetary Fund, vol. 71(1), pages 243-299, March.
    3. Callum Jones & Thomas Philippon & Venky Venkateswaran, 2021. "Optimal Mitigation Policies in a Pandemic: Social Distancing and Working from Home [A simple planning problem for covid-19 lockdown]," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 34(11), pages 5188-5223.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Pandemic; Covid-19; Public health; Inequality;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E60 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - General
    • H0 - Public Economics - - General
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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