For much of the last century, mortality rates in the United States fell steadily. But from 1998-2013, that trend reversed for a special demographic: non-Hispanic whites, aged 45-54. The problem, according to a new study by Nobel Laureate Angus Deaton, and fellow economist, Anne Case, lay in people lacking a college degree. Tens of thousands of those middle-aged whites were … [Read more...] about Can Latin American Workers Dodge the Deaths of Despair?
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Can New Methods Sharpen Targeting in Programs for the Poor?
In recent years, developing countries have struggled to make social welfare programs for the poor and vulnerable more efficient. The distribution of preventative health products is an important example. Such products can help the poor stave off malnutrition and disease and improve overall productivity. But they have traditionally been distributed using subsidized pricing, and … [Read more...] about Can New Methods Sharpen Targeting in Programs for the Poor?
Trimming the Fat for Better Growth
Why do governments need to save? In large part, for some of the same reasons people and firms need to save: to invest and help their economies grow and prosper. Public saving may make up less of national saving than household or corporate saving in Latin America and the Caribbean. But it is nonetheless vital to overall economic health. Greater public saving would allow … [Read more...] about Trimming the Fat for Better Growth
Running Out of Time
For decades, Latin America and the Caribbean has been a young region, with lots of people in the workforce compared to the number of elderly. But it is aging. By 2085, the region will surpass Europe as the area of the world with the highest share of elderly and, given current rates of savings, will have insufficient resources to pay for the immense health care, pension, and … [Read more...] about Running Out of Time
Health Benefits from Social Media?
What does it say about someone that he frequently uses words like "idiot", "fake", or "bed" in his tweets? According to a recent paper and IDB seminar by Johannes Eichstaedt, his use of "idiot" signifies hostility or aggression; "fake", hate and interpersonal tension; and "bed," boredom and fatigue. Moreover, it means that he is more at risk for heart disease, a condition … [Read more...] about Health Benefits from Social Media?