Ch 4

Question 1

Thrifty Phenotype (Barker) Hypothesis

Answer 1

Hyp: genetic reasons for inefficient health production (deprivation of food early life = thrifty genes that are useful for sparse conditions but bad in abundant ones)

Evidence : Dutch famine (Holland due to German blockade) 2 baby groups -> one in utero during and one conceived during famine
In utero had higher rates of diabetes and obesity

Question 2

Direct income

Answer 2

Hyp: disparities exist bc of rich having more resources to devote to health

Evidence: Lindahl - Swedish lottery winners (small sample size)
Cesarani et al - Swedish lottery winners ~ found no effect on adult mortality but more child care use and reduce obesity risk

Question 3

Allostatic Load

Answer 3

Prolonged stress increases rate of aging and decreases optimal health

Whitehall study found low grade British civil servants w similar bgs and healthcare had higher morbidity and mortality w more sr stress

Question 4

Efficient producer

Answer 4

Educated more efficient at producing health

Lleras Muney (2005) found extra year of schooling had a 1.7 year increase in life expectancy in 1920s

Question 5

Income inequality

Answer 5

Disparities bc of unequal income dist (allostatic related)

Mixed evidence

Question 6

Access to care

Answer 6

Hi income can afford generous insurance

FALSE - counter example - Canadian youth + British servants disparity despite = health access

Question 7

Productive time

Answer 7

DISPARITIES IN Health causes SES

Evidence: 1) Barrera - Malaria in US south, worse mosquito years likelier to end in poverty and lower adult earnings
2) oreopoulos et al- siblings in same house that were sicker had worse education and adult earnings

Question 8

Fuchs

Answer 8

Time preference causes both bad health and SES

Mixed evidence