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Cash Transfers and Health Outcomes: Evidence from Italian Municipalities

Author

Listed:
  • Fontana, S.;
  • Guccio, C.;
  • Pignataro, G.;
  • Romeo, D.;

Abstract

This paper aims to assess the impact of a cash transfer programme implemented in Italy since 2014, known as the '80 euro bonus', on health outcomes as gauged by mortality rates. Using municipality-level data over the period 2010-2019 and a difference-in-differences approach, we find a significant reduction in mortality rates associated with the size of cash transfers and the number of recipients in the municipality. This effect remains robust across several checks. Furthermore, at the provincial level, we observe sustained decreases in mortality rates, especially for cancer and cardiovascular diseases, in the areas with a higher concentration of cash transfer recipients. These results support the positive impact of increased financial resources on health outcomes and highlight the role of cash transfers as effective tools for public health policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Fontana, S.; & Guccio, C.; & Pignataro, G.; & Romeo, D.;, 2024. "Cash Transfers and Health Outcomes: Evidence from Italian Municipalities," Health, Econometrics and Data Group (HEDG) Working Papers 24/04, HEDG, c/o Department of Economics, University of York.
    • Handle: RePEc:yor:hectdg:24/04
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    cash transfer; personal income; health outcomes; mortality rate; local communities; difference-in-difference;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • H24 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Personal Income and Other Nonbusiness Taxes and Subsidies
    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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