New evidence of the link between health and economic performance
The UK Health and Safety Executive has published a detailed investigation into the links between spending on health and economic performance. The report, authored by Frontier (Europe), sheds new light on the links between health and various measures of economic growth. It uses a bespoke dataset and the British Household Panel Survey, as well as several econometric techniques.
The analysis investigates the links between a range of health measures and different measures of economic performance. At the macro-economic level, it documents the link between health and economic performance at the level of aggregate GDP growth. At the individual level, it reveals that individuals in excellent health earn 4 to 7% more than whose health is average - controlling for a wide range of other characteristics that also affect earnings. Further down the health ladder, it indicates that those in poor health earn 7 to 15% less than those with average health. Furthermore, it provides statistical evidence that the probability of being employed is higher for those in better health.
The conclusions and suggestions for further research help to inform the wider policy debate. This includes issues ranging from the reform of incapacity benefits to investment in preventative healthcare.
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