International Comparisons in Health Economics: Evidence from Aging Studies

47 Pages Posted: 26 Aug 2011 Last revised: 1 Sep 2011

See all articles by James W. Banks

James W. Banks

Institute for Fiscal Studies; The University of Manchester

James P. Smith

RAND Corporation; IZA Institute of Labor Economics

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Date Written: August 26, 2011

Abstract

We provide an overview of the growing literature that uses micro-level data from multiple countries to investigate health outcomes, and their link to socioeconomic factors, at older ages. Since the data are at a comparatively young stage, much of the analysis is at an early stage and limited to a handful of countries, with analysis for the US and England being the most common. What is immediately apparent as we get better measures is that health differences between countries amongst those at older ages are real and large. Countries are ranked differently according to whether one considers life-expectancy, prevalence or incidence of one condition or another. And the magnitude of international disparities may vary according to whether measures utilize doctor diagnosed conditions or biomarker-based indicators of disease and poor health. But one key finding emerges - the US ranks poorly on all indicators with the exception of self-reported subjective health status.

Keywords: Health, International, Aging

JEL Classification: I10

Suggested Citation

Banks, James W. and Smith, James P., International Comparisons in Health Economics: Evidence from Aging Studies (August 26, 2011). Annual Review of Economics, Vol. 4, 2012, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1917506

James W. Banks

Institute for Fiscal Studies ( email )

7 Ridgmount Street
London, WC1E 7AE
United Kingdom

The University of Manchester

Oxford Road
Manchester, N/A M13 9PL
United Kingdom

James P. Smith (Contact Author)

RAND Corporation ( email )

P.O. Box 2138
1776 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90407-2138
United States

IZA Institute of Labor Economics ( email )

P.O. Box 7240
Bonn, D-53072
Germany

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