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Health Inequality and Economic Disparities by Race, Ethnicity, and Gender

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Listed:
  • Nicolò Russo
  • Rory McGee
  • Mariacristina De Nardi
  • Margherita Borella
  • Ross Abram

Abstract

How large is health inequality in middle age, and how does it shape subsequent economic disparities by race, ethnicity, and gender? Using the Health and Retirement Study, we document severe health disparities. At age 55, Black men and women exhibit the frailty levels, or the biological age, of White individuals 13 and 20 years older. Hispanic men and women show comparable frailty to White individuals 5 and 6 years older. Equalizing health at age 55 would reduce future disparities in many key economic outcomes by 40-70%. This suggests that targeted earlier health interventions for minorities could significantly narrow economic and quality-of-life inequalities in middle and old age.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicolò Russo & Rory McGee & Mariacristina De Nardi & Margherita Borella & Ross Abram, 2024. "Health Inequality and Economic Disparities by Race, Ethnicity, and Gender," NBER Working Papers 32971, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:32971
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D1 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior
    • D10 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - General
    • H4 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality

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