Estimating a health production function for the US: some new evidence

Abstract

This study reports some new evidence on the impact of medical care, socioeconomic, lifestyle and environmental factors on the health status of the population of the USA. The results show that additional medical care utilization is relatively ineffective in lowering mortality and increasing life expectancy. The most important factors that influence death rates are related to socioeconomic status and lifestyle. The results suggest that health care policy which focuses primarily on the provision of medical care services and ignores larger economic and social considerations may do little to benefit the nation's health.