Economic instability, income, and unemployment effects on mortality: using SUR panel data in Iran

Haji Mohammad Neshat Ghojagh (), Lotfali Agheli (), Sajjad Faraji Dizaji (), Mohammad Javad Kabir () and Vahid Taghvaee ()
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Haji Mohammad Neshat Ghojagh: Tarbiat Modares University
Lotfali Agheli: Tarbiat Modares University
Sajjad Faraji Dizaji: Tarbiat Modares University
Mohammad Javad Kabir: Golestan University of Medical Sciences
Vahid Taghvaee: University of Greifswald

International Journal of Health Economics and Management, 2024, vol. 24, issue 4, No 4, 555-570

Abstract: Abstract This study aims to investigate the effects of socioeconomic factors on mortality in Iran. To this end, this research examines how economic instability, income, and unemployment affect mortality using a seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) with panel data for 30 provinces in Iran from 2004 to 2019. The results indicate that unemployment and mortality have a countercyclical relationship among the working age-groups 20–59 but a procyclical pattern among old-age (60+), except for rural mortality. This result is harmonious between employment and age-group mortality. This finding implies that unemployment increases mortality in working age-groups due to psychological stress and poverty risk. In addition, the income level decreases mortality in all ages over 40 years due to the provision of higher access to health and medical services and social welfare. However, it increases mortality in rural areas and age-group 20–39 because of their hazardous, unsafe, and stressful work conditions. Therefore, policymakers should plan for an inclusive economic growth to reduce poverty and out-of-pocket payments and increase the quality and accessibility of public health services, especially for beneficiaries of lower social groups. Moreover, they should adopt strategies to alleviate the burden of premature, preventable, and treatable deaths.

Keywords: Economic instability; Income; Unemployment; Mortality; Public health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I15 I18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10754-024-09376-1

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