A Labor Market Approach to the Crisis of Health Care Professionals in Africa

26 Pages Posted: 21 Feb 2011

See all articles by Mabel Andalon

Mabel Andalon

University of Melbourne

Gary Fields

Cornell University - School of Industrial and Labor Relations; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER); IZA Institute of Labor Economics

Date Written: February 1, 2011

Abstract

This paper adopts a labor market economics perspective to understanding the crisis of health care professionals in Africa. Five challenges resulting from this crisis are identified: a production challenge, an underutilization challenge, a distributional challenge, a performance challenge, and a financing challenge. Differences between the labor market approach and others used in the health field are noted. We conclude that more empirical data, a full labor market analysis, and the use of social benefit-cost criteria are all needed before policy recommendations to address any of these challenges can be confidently offered.

Keywords: labor market, health care, Africa

JEL Classification: I11, J01, J08

Suggested Citation

Andalon, Mabel and Fields, Gary S., A Labor Market Approach to the Crisis of Health Care Professionals in Africa (February 1, 2011). IZA Discussion Paper No. 5483, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1765648 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1765648

Mabel Andalon (Contact Author)

University of Melbourne ( email )

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Gary S. Fields

Cornell University - School of Industrial and Labor Relations ( email )

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National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

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IZA Institute of Labor Economics

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