The Impact of Electricity Sector Privatization on Public Health

Martin Gonzalez-Eiras, Martín Rossi

Publikation: Bidrag til bog/antologi/rapportBidrag til bog/antologiForskningpeer review

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Abstract

We use province-level data for Argentina to test for the causal relation between electricity distribution and health. We are interested in the impact of privatization on two output measures, incidence of low birth weight and child mortality rates caused by food poisoning. Privatization improves service coverage which, through the use of refrigerators, may improve nutritional intake. Privatization also results in a reduction in the frequency of interruptions, and thus may reduce the likelihood of food poisoning. We find some evidence that privatization reduced the frequency of low birth weight and child mortality rates caused by food poisoning. Results are not strong enough to inform the policy debate with respect to the benefits that privatizations have on the welfare of the poor.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
TitelPrivatization for the Public Good? : Welfare Effects of Private Intervention in Latin America
RedaktørerAlberto Chong
ForlagDavid Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies
Publikationsdato2008
ISBN (Trykt)1597820601
StatusUdgivet - 2008

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