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Healthcare spillovers of spousal health shocks in China: evidence from administrative data

Author

Listed:
  • Yufei Xie

    (University of California)

  • Yiheng Liu

    (The Chinese University of Hong kong)

  • Jin Feng

    (Fudan University
    Fudan University)

Abstract

This paper studies the impact of a person’s severe health shocks on their spouse’s healthcare behaviors. Using healthcare administrative data in China, we document that a person’s initial cancer diagnosis has an immediate and lasting positive impact on their spouse’s healthcare utilization. The results point to information spillovers as a primary mechanism and reveal a significant negative impact on mental health, while the negative effect of the financial burden is weak. Notably, there are significant gender differences in responses, with the impact more pronounced among wives. The results highlight the role of family coordination in responding to adverse health events in the developing country context.

Suggested Citation

  • Yufei Xie & Yiheng Liu & Jin Feng, 2025. "Healthcare spillovers of spousal health shocks in China: evidence from administrative data," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 38(1), pages 1-28, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jopoec:v:38:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s00148-025-01081-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s00148-025-01081-8
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Health shocks; Family health behaviors; Information spillovers;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I13 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Insurance, Public and Private
    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure

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