Physicians and the Production of Health: Returns to Health Care during the Mortality Transition

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Liebert, Helge; Mader, Beatrice
• 署名单位: Swiss National Bank (SNB); University of Zurich; University of St Gallen
• 刊物名称: REVIEW OF ECONOMICS AND STATISTICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0034-6535
• DOI: 10.1162/rest_a_01473
• 发表日期: 2026
• 关键词: infant-mortality; outcomes; RESOURCES; IMPACT; interventions; QUALITY; science; access

摘要

This paper investigates the returns to health care provision during the mortality transition. We construct a new panel data set covering German municipalities from 1928 to 1936. The endogeneity of health care supply is addressed by using the expulsion of Jewish physicians from statutory health insurance as exogenous variation in regional physician supply. Increases in the supply of physicians reduce infant mortality and mortality from common childhood diseases. Using a semiparametric control function approach, we find diminishing marginal returns to health care provision. The results are consistent with historical trends in infant mortality over the twentieth century.