Epidemics, disease control, and China’s long-term development

Jun Wang and James Ang

Journal of Comparative Economics, 2024, vol. 52, issue 1, 93-112

Abstract: This study examines the impact of historical disease burden on the development of contemporary China. Using historical records spanning nearly six centuries, we construct a county-level dataset for the distribution of epidemics in China. Our results indicate that historical disease pressure has a positive impact on long-term economic development. This positive association withstands rigorous testing through a series of robustness checks. Furthermore, we find that earlier institutional development in disease control and the improvement in human capital are effective channels. The establishment of disease prevention centers facilitated the early adoption of modern disease control systems, which, in turn, enhanced public health, education, and productive activities.

Keywords: Long-term development; Epidemics; Health; Institutions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I15 O43 O53 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jcecon:v:52:y:2024:i:1:p:93-112

DOI: 10.1016/j.jce.2023.12.001

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