---------------------- Forwarded by William R. Easterly/Person/World Bank on
11/20/2000 10:27 AM ---------------------------
William R. Easterly
11/20/2000 10:25 AM
Extn: 38965 DECRG
To: [log in to unmask]
cc:
Subject: Re: Dying for Growth (Document link: William R. Easterly)
There are a number of economists' studies that examine the relationship between
economic growth and health. One by Pritchett and Summers (yes, the same person
who is now US Treasury secretary) finds strong evidence that economic growth
lowers infant mortality. Another study I have done (called "life during growth,"
available on the web site below) has more pessimistic findings -- a number of
indicators of social welfare fail to improve during economic growth. However,
the strong association across countries between per capita income and health
outcomes suggests that sooner or later rising GDP gets translated into better
health. I certainly find it hard to believe that growth would make the health
of the poor worse, aside from direct exposure to pollutants. In the latter case,
the answer is to control the pollution, not to stop growth.
William Easterly
MC3-337
World Bank
1818 H Street
Washington DC 20433
Phone 202 473 8965
Fax 202 522 3518
Web-site: http://www.worldbank.org/research/growth
William Easterly
MC3-337
World Bank
1818 H Street
Washington DC 20433
Phone 202 473 8965
Fax 202 522 3518
Web-site: http://www.worldbank.org/research/growth
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