Assessment of Macro-Level Socioeconomic Factors That Impact Waterborne Diseases: The Case of Jordan

John Polimeni, Ahmad Almalki, Raluca Iorgulescu, Lucian Albu (), Wendy M. Parker and Ray Chandrasekara
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Ahmad Almalki: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King Saud University, King Khalid Road, Riyadh 12372, Saudi Arabia
Wendy M. Parker: Department of Basic & Clinical Sciences, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 106 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208, USA
Ray Chandrasekara: Department of Humanities and Communication, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 106 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208, USA

IJERPH, 2016, vol. 13, issue 12, 1-15

Abstract: The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is an example of a country that suffers from high water scarcity. Additionally, due to the economic drivers in the country, such as phosphate and potash extraction and pharmaceutical production, the little fresh water that remains is generally polluted. The infrastructure, often antiquated in urban areas and non-existent in rural areas, also contributes to poor water conditions and to the spread of waterborne diseases. This paper examines the socioeconomic factors that contribute to diarrhea and hepatitis A on a macro level in Jordan and discusses the public-policies that government officials could use to abate those problems. Ordinary least squares time series models are used to understand the macro-level variables that impact the incidence of these diseases in Jordan. Public health expenditure has a significant impact on reducing their incidence. Furthermore, investment in sanitation facilities in rural regions is likely to reduce the number of cases of hepatitis A. Perhaps the most surprising outcome is that importation of goods and services likely results in a decrease in cases of hepatitis A. However, income has little impact on the incidence of diarrhea and hepatitis A.

Keywords: water scarcity; waterborne diseases; water pollution; ecological economics; economic growth (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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