The Best Things in Life are (Nearly) Free: Technology, Knowledge and Global Health

36 Pages Posted: 19 Jul 2011

Date Written: May 31, 2011

Abstract

The health of the world’s population - including those in the poorest countries - has improved more in the past 100 years than ever before. The improvement is largely a result of the development and spread of cheap, effective technologies (such as vaccines). Other factors, such as national wealth and institutional development, appear to be secondary, suggesting that exogenous models of development may still be relevant in explain gains in global health.

In this paper, background to Kenny’s book Getting Better, the authors investigate the cross-country determinants of health improvements and describe the implications for development policy. In short, improving health need not be expensive. Even very poor countries can make great strides with good technologies and good delivery, but it may take time. Historical trends suggest we should not expect too much too quickly.

Keywords: health, techologies, institutions, income

JEL Classification: F35, I19, F30

Suggested Citation

Casabonne, Ursula and Kenny, Charles, The Best Things in Life are (Nearly) Free: Technology, Knowledge and Global Health (May 31, 2011). Center for Global Development Working Paper No. 252, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1888332 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1888332

Ursula Casabonne

World Bank ( email )

1818 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20433
United States

Charles Kenny (Contact Author)

Center for Global Development ( email )

2055 L St. NW
5th floor
Washington, DC 20036
United States

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