Question

One of the key tenets of the health and development link is that good health promotes economic development at the societal level, which is critical for national development. In 2015, the leading cause of death globally was ischemic heart disease. What effect do you think this had on low-, middle-, and high-income countries?

Answer 1

Since economic theory on health says that health and development are positively related, it means that high income nations would also have better health infrastructure. Compared to high- income countries, the middle income countries have se economic development and a less than optimal health infrastructure and facilities.

The poor countries are generally at worst health condition. They have very little economic growth and hence they have very little to spend on health and medical facilities. This further leads to poor human capital and deaths (of people who would have worked for the country's development). Thus, there is a vicious cycle of poor health and poor economic development in low-income countries.

So, according to this line of economic thought, I believe that high-income nations would be least affected and very little impact would be on their economy.

The economy of middle income countries would be more effected. They would have faced a situation where they have to spend more to medical services and the economy would be effected but not to a very great extent.

The poor countries would be worst hit. Their economy would be very effected due to the increase in deaths.