The Effect of Superstition on Health: Evidence from the Taiwanese Ghost Month

Martin Halla, Chia-Lun Liu and Jin-Tan Liu

No 25474, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: Superstition is a widespread phenomenon. We empirically examine its impact on health-related behavior and health outcomes. We study the case of the Taiwanese Ghost Month. During this period, which is believed to increase the likelihood of bad outcomes, we observe substantial adaptions in health-related behavior. Our identification exploits idiosyncratic variation in the timing of the Ghost Month across Gregorian calendar years. Using high-quality administrative data, we document for the period of the Ghost Months reductions in mortality, hospital admissions, and births. While the effect on mortality is a quantum effect, the latter two effects reflect changes in the timing of events. These findings suggest potential benefits of including emotional and cultural factors in public health policy.

JEL-codes: D83 D91 I12 Z12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hea
Note: EH
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Working Paper: The Effect of Superstition on Health: Evidence from the Taiwanese Ghost Month (2019)
Working Paper: The Effect of Superstition on Health: Evidence from the Taiwanese Ghost Month (2019)
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