Forced Migration and the Spread of Infectious Diseases

Ana Ibáñez, Sandra Rozo and María J. Urbina

Journal of Health Economics, 2021, vol. 79, issue C

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, namely syphilis. However, we find no significant effects of migration on the propagation of vector-borne diseases. Contact with infected migrants upon arrival seems to be the main driving mechanism.

Keywords: Forced Migration; Infectious Diseases; Health Outcomes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F22 I15 O15 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jhecon:v:79:y:2021:i:c:s016762962100076x

DOI: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2021.102491

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