Forced Migration and the Spread of Infectious Diseases
51 Pages Posted: 9 Jun 2020
Date Written: May 14, 2020
Abstract
We examine the role of Venezuelan forced migration on the propagation of 15 infectious diseases in Colombia. For this purpose, we use rich municipal-monthly panel data. We exploit the fact that municipalities closer to the main migration entry points have a disproportionate exposure to infected migrants when the cumulative migration flows increase. We find that higher refugee inflows are associated with increments in the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases, such as chickenpox and tuberculosis, as well as sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS and syphilis. However, we find no significant effects of migration on the propagation of vector-borne diseases.
Keywords: Forced Migration, Infectious Diseases, Health Outcomes
JEL Classification: F22, O15, I15
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation