Time preference, illness, and death

Lisa Norrgren

Journal of Health Economics, 2022, vol. 86, issue C

Abstract: This paper investigates the power of time preference to predict illness and premature mortality in adulthood. Using a unique Swedish cohort of 12,956 individuals born in 1953, interviewed in 1966, and followed with register data up to 2018, the paper reports that more patient adolescents are 17–21% less likely to die before the age of 65 years. More patient adolescents have fewer hospitalizations and diagnoses in their adult life and are less likely to be diagnosed with conditions associated with lifestyle risk factors. The investigated channels for the relationship between time preference and future health include lifestyle, education attainment, and future income. Controlling for education and income reduces the coefficient for time preference on premature mortality by one-fourth.

Keywords: Time preference; Premature mortality; Health; Illness; Health behavior (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D90 D91 I10 I12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jhecon:v:86:y:2022:i:c:s0167629622001072

DOI: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2022.102692

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