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Health insurance and height inequality: Evidence from European health insurance expansions

Author

Listed:
  • Baten, Jörg
  • Batinti, Alberto
  • Costa-Font, Joan
  • Radatz, Laura

Abstract

Health insurance expansions can improve health outcomes by increasing access to healthcare. This is especially true among the poorer segments of the population, who may not be able to afford the cost of healthcare, or might lack the information about where to seek proper medical care. In this paper we examine whether increased access to health insurance has historically reduced height inequality by promoting body growth, particularly among poor individuals, and so enhanced their height, a widely used and well-established anthropometric health and well-being indicator. We draw on data from a large global panel of countries for which we could measure height inequality. Our evidence documents that indeed within-country differences in height inequality decreased following health insurance expansions towards near-universal coverage.

Suggested Citation

  • Baten, Jörg & Batinti, Alberto & Costa-Font, Joan & Radatz, Laura, 2024. "Health insurance and height inequality: Evidence from European health insurance expansions," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:soceps:v:93:y:2024:i:c:s0038012124001046
    DOI: 10.1016/j.seps.2024.101905
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cutler, David & Johnson, Richard, 2004. "The Birth and Growth of the Social Insurance State: Explaining Old-Age and Medical Insurance Across Countries," Scholarly Articles 2643658, Harvard University Department of Economics.
    2. David M. Cutler & Richard Johnson, 2004. "The Birth and Growth of the Social Insurance State: Explaining Old Age and Medical Insurance Across Countries," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 120(1_2), pages 87-121, July.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Health insurance expansions; Heights; Health inequality; Inequality; Economic development;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I13 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Insurance, Public and Private
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • N34 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Europe: 1913-

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