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The impact of the minimum wage on health.

Authors :
Andreyeva E
Ukert B
Source :
International journal of health economics and management [Int J Health Econ Manag] 2018 Dec; Vol. 18 (4), pp. 337-375. Date of Electronic Publication: 2018 Mar 07.
Publication Year :
2018

Abstract

This study evaluates the effect of minimum wage on risky health behaviors, healthcare access, and self-reported health. We use data from the 1993-2015 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, and employ a difference-in-differences strategy that utilizes time variation in new minimum wage laws across U.S. states. Results suggest that the minimum wage increases the probability of being obese and decreases daily fruit and vegetable intake, but also decreases days with functional limitations while having no impact on healthcare access. Subsample analyses reveal that the increase in weight and decrease in fruit and vegetable intake are driven by the older population, married, and whites. The improvement in self-reported health is especially strong among non-whites, females, and married.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2199-9031
Volume :
18
Issue :
4
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
International journal of health economics and management
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
29516331
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10754-018-9237-0