Question

How has economist Robert Fogel explained that economic growth is connected to life expectancy? Based on this connection, in what country would you expect to have a longer life expectancy, the United States or India? Explain

Answer 1

Robert Fogel is a famoue economist who received Nobel prize in 1993 for explaining economic and institutional change using economic theory and quantitative methods. His work on long term changes on aging physiology in US describes the reasons for laongetivity. according to his research the increase in longetivity and health is not result of genetic or evolutionary changes but it can be explained through improvement of external factors like nutritional intake, control of disease, better health facilities and environment of work, less stress, better economic conditions, reduction of poverty which is a result of economic growth, technological change, investments in publici health, and greater scientific knowledge etc. There has been highest economic growth in Asis and latin America and there has been a dip in death rates due to improved living conditions as a result of growth. The devlopment in technology of farming produced more food which alsong with increased income loosened the trap of chronic malnutrition which imporved health and increased life expectancy. This is facilitated with better health facilities due to technology, innovation and policy of states including funding and execution. This all incresed physiological capiltal which means improved efficiency in converting food energy to lobor productivity. Changes in living conditions, better food, control of disease, better housing and clothing improves efficiency of ingested energy in form of food to give more productivity. Such factors proves a chain reaction and interlinks economic growth and longetivity

If compared between India and america, America is a developed nation and has aceived a large degree of control over its physical environment, ut has several issues like providing heatlcare to population, socio economic status of masses, health disparities. However as compared to India US has advantage and being thenation with highest econmic growth performs far better. The India faces issues like still dveloping economy, high population, low percapita income, high unemployment, poverty etc, along with disparities like regional, social, economical etc cause greater issues to states to provide or maintain a physical environment to improve longetivity. There has been decline in death rate during the last hafl quarter of 20th century in India but stil lot more is needed. so with variables of physical environment the life span is greater or life expectancy is seen better in America.