Increases in gross domestic product decrease working age population deaths in US counties: 2015-2019
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47611/jsrhs.v10i4.2058Keywords:
GDP, Death Rate, Economic Growth, Working Age Population, US CountiesAbstract
In this paper I investigate the link between GDP growth and deaths among the working age population. I gather economic data at the U.S. county level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and premature deaths data from Center for Disease Control. Using regression analysis, I find a strong and statistically significant negative relationship between GDP growth and premature deaths, especially once I control for other economic and religious factors. My results indicate that a 10-percentage point increase in the GDP results in 1 percentage point fewer premature deaths in the county. My literature review suggests that more active leisure time, better diet, and more health care expenditure are potential mechanisms through which GDP growth impacts premature deaths. My results suggest that it is possible to save lives through economic stimulation in low GDP areas.
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