Modern Infectious Diseases: Macroeconomic Impacts and Policy Responses
Journal of Economic Literature
; 60(1):85-131, 2022.
Article
in English
| Web of Science | ID: covidwho-1759809
ABSTRACT
We discuss and review literature on the macroeconomic effects of epidemics and pan-demics since the late twentieth century. First, we cover the role of health in driv -ing economic growth and well-being and discuss standard frameworks for assessing the economic burden of infectious diseases. Second, we sketch a general theoretical framework to evaluate the trade-offs policy makers must consider when addressing infectious diseases and their macroeconomic repercussions. In so doing, we emphasize the dependence of economic consequences on (i) disease characteristics;(ii) inequal-ities among individuals in terms of susceptibility, preferences, and income;and (iii) cross-country heterogeneities in terms of their institutional and macroeconomic environments. Third, we study pharmaceutical and nonpharmaceutical policies aimed at mitigating and preventing infectious diseases and their macroeconomic repercus-sions. Fourth, we discuss the health toll and economic impacts of five infectious dis-eases HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, influenza, and COVID-19. Although major epidemics and pandemics can take an enormous human toll and impose a staggering economic burden, early and targeted health and economic policy interventions can often mitigate both to a substantial degree. (JEL E20, H50, I12, I14, I15, I18, J17)
Full text:
Available
Collection:
Databases of international organizations
Database:
Web of Science
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
Language:
English
Journal:
Journal of Economic Literature
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
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