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Ethnic diversity makes me sick! An examination of ethnic diversity’s effect on health outcomes

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  • Awaworyi Churchill, Sefa
  • Ocloo, Janet Exornam
  • Siawor-Robertson, Diana

Abstract

This study hypothesizes a relationship between ethnic diversity and health outcomes. We explore the effects of ethnic and linguistic heterogeneity (measured by indices of ethnic and linguistic fractionalization) on 30 health outcome variables in a cross-section of 87 countries. We explore outcomes related to four major categories of health: 1) immunization rates, 2) prevalence of diseases, 3) life expectancy and mortality rates, and 4) health related infrastructure and staff. Across all dimensions examined, evidence suggests that higher heterogeneity is bad for health. We explore several potential mechanisms which could explain the observed negative effects of ethnic and linguistic diversity on health.

Suggested Citation

  • Awaworyi Churchill, Sefa & Ocloo, Janet Exornam & Siawor-Robertson, Diana, 2015. "Ethnic diversity makes me sick! An examination of ethnic diversity’s effect on health outcomes," EconStor Preprints 123721, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:esprep:123721
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    Keywords

    health; Fractionalization; linguistic diversity; ethnic diversity;
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