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Do institutions matter for citizens’ health status? Empirical evidence from Italy

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  • M. Alessandra Antonelli

    (Sapienza University of Rome)

  • Giorgia Marini

    (Sapienza University of Rome)

Abstract

This paper investigates the role of institutional quality in explaining cross-regional variation in population health status in Italy. We first introduce a composite Regional Health Status Indicator summarizing life expectancy, mortality and morbidity data. Then, we study the empirical relationship between this indicator and a set of socioeconomic, health system and institutional controls at the Italian regional level over the period of 2011–2019. We find that institutional quality is a driver of population health. Furthermore, well-functioning local institutions and regions compliant with national standards in terms of public healthcare services (Essential Levels of Care) make socioeconomic context no longer relevant for population health, potentially reducing inequalities.

Suggested Citation

  • M. Alessandra Antonelli & Giorgia Marini, 2025. "Do institutions matter for citizens’ health status? Empirical evidence from Italy," The European Journal of Health Economics, Springer;Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsökonomie (DGGÖ), vol. 26(1), pages 95-115, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eujhec:v:26:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s10198-024-01689-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s10198-024-01689-9
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Life expectancy; Mortality; Morbidity; Health status; Institutional quality; Italian regions;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H75 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Government: Health, Education, and Welfare
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • P48 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Other Economic Systems - - - Legal Institutions; Property Rights; Natural Resources; Energy; Environment; Regional Studies

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