Outils

ECO-5110 : Social security

ECO-5110 : Social security

Responsable(s) :
  • Laurent Simula
  • Mathilde Godard

Niveau

M2

Discipline

Economie

ECTS
4.00
Période
1e semestre
Localisation
Site Descartes
Année
2022

Public externe (ouverts aux auditeurs de cours)

Informations générales sur le cours : ECO-5110

Content objectif

Lecturer: Mathilde GODARD (godard [at] gate.cnrs.fr)

ECO-5110 : Social security

The course covers an array of topics in health economics and population health. We first review and assess the determinants of inequalities in health. To that end, we review a number of empirical papers and discuss the Grossman model of demand for health, which is the main theoretical model that accounts for socio-economic differences in health. We then turn to a the lifecourse approach to health, with a particular focus on early life conditions. 

Next, we zoom on the impact of « work » on health. Is work bad for health? To answer that question, we look at the effect of retirement, as well as job loss, on health. We next study the impact of labour-market uncertainty (induced by e.g. trade shocks or recessions) on health. To recap the main notions seen in class so far, we end class with a case study by Case and Deaton (2017) on the contemporaneous rise of « deaths of despair » in the American white working class. 

Most of the course is embeded in the context of recent empirical research on policy evaluation in health. Endogeneity is a core issue when identifying the impact of work on health, and identification problems will be thoroughly discussed throughout the lecture. If needed, I provide a recap of the basic tools of applied econometrics (Rubin causal model, instrumental variables, etc.) during the first sessions.

Altogether, this course allows students to touch upon some highly timely and policy-relevant questions: What is the nature and causes of health inequalities? Do long-term health outcomes respond to circumstances in utero? Are recessions good for your health? What is the impact of pension reforms on mortality? Is the opioid crisis responsible for the rise of death of despairs among the American white working class?