Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/320102 
Year of Publication: 
2025
Series/Report no.: 
CESifo Working Paper No. 11881
Publisher: 
CESifo GmbH, Munich
Abstract: 
Political office involves stress, long hours, and media scrutiny, which may harm politicians' health. However, winning prestigious positions can increase social status, income, and connections, potentially offsetting these harms. We investigate the health effects of political promotions using comprehensive Norwegian administrative data on public health care utilization. Using an event study framework, we assess health outcomes by comparing newly elected mayors to controls matched by gender, age group, and education within the same municipality. While securing full-time office results in a substantial income boost, we find no evidence of adverse health effects. On the contrary, winning office leads to a sustained modest reduction in both general doctor visits and mental health consultations. This evidence runs counter to common concerns about the toll of political careers, pointing to potential health benefits associated with political advancement.
Subjects: 
political selection
returns from office
health consequences
event study
administrative data
JEL: 
D72
I12
J81
M51
Document Type: 
Working Paper
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