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The Shadow of the Neolithic Revolution on Life Expectancy: A Double-Edged Sword

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  • Raphaël Franck
  • Oded Galor
  • Omer Moav
  • Ömer Özak

Abstract

This research explores the persistent effect of the Neolithic Revolution on the evolution of life expectancy in the course of human history. It advances the hypothesis and establishes empirically that the onset of the Neolithic Revolution and the associated rise in infectious diseases triggered a process of adaptation reducing mortality from infectious diseases while increasing the propensity for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Exploiting an exogenous source of variation in the timing of the Neolithic Revolution across French regions, the analysis establishes the presence of these conflicting forces - the beneficial effects on life expectancy before the second epidemiological transition and their adverse effects thereafter.

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  • Raphaël Franck & Oded Galor & Omer Moav & Ömer Özak, 2022. "The Shadow of the Neolithic Revolution on Life Expectancy: A Double-Edged Sword," NBER Working Papers 30221, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:30221
    Note: DEV EFG EH
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Combes, Pierre-Philippe & Lafourcade, Miren & Thisse, Jacques-François & Toutain, Jean-Claude, 2011. "The rise and fall of spatial inequalities in France: A long-run perspective," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 48(2), pages 243-271, April.
    2. Maarten Bosker & Eltjo Buringh & Jan Luiten van Zanden, 2013. "From Baghdad to London: Unraveling Urban Development in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, 800–1800," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 95(4), pages 1418-1437, October.
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    JEL classification:

    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General

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