Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/83643
Authors: 
Year of Publication: 
2013
Series/Report no.: 
cege Discussion Papers No. 172
Publisher: 
University of Göttingen, Center for European, Governance and Economic Development Research (cege), Göttingen
Abstract: 
This study presents a novel view on education and health behavior of individuals constrained by aging bodies. The aging process, i.e. the accumulation of health deficits over time, is built on recent insights from gerontology. The loss of body functionality, which eventually leads to death, can be accelerated by unhealthy behavior and delayed through health expenditure. Education is endogenous and determined, among others thing, by cognitive ability. The proposed theory rationalizes why better educated persons optimally choose a healthier lifestyle. The model is calibrated for the average male US citizen. In the benchmark case a difference in cognitive ability that motivates one more year of education leads to an increase of longevity by about half a year. Progress in medical technology explains why the education gradient gets larger over time.
Subjects: 
schooling
aging
longevity
health expenditure
unhealthy behavior
smoking
JEL: 
D91
J17
J26
I12
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size
579.07 kB





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.