Mesnard, Alice and Seabright, Paul (2016) Migration and the Equilibrium Prevalence of Infectious Diseases. Journal of Demographic Economics, vol. 82 (n° 1). pp. 1-26.

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Identification Number : 10.1017/dem.2015.12

Abstract

This paper models how migration both influences and responds to differences in disease prevalence between cities and shows how the possibility of migration away from high-prevalence areas affects long-run steady state disease prevalence. We develop a dynamic framework where migration responds to the prevalence of disease, to the costs of migration and to the costs of living. The model explores how pressure for migration in response to differing equilibrium levels of disease prevalence generates differences in city characteristics such as land rents. Competition for scarce housing in low-prevalence areas can create segregation, with disease concentrated in high-prevalence “sinks”. We show that policies affecting migration costs affect the steady-state disease prevalences across cities. In particular, migration can reduce steady-state disease incidence in low-prevalence areas while having no impact on prevalence in high-prevalence areas. This suggests that, in some circumstances, public health measures may need to avoid discouraging migration away from high-disease areas.

Item Type: Article
Language: English
Date: 29 February 2016
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: migration, infectious diseases, public health
JEL Classification: I18 - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
O15 - Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
O19 - International Linkages to Development; Role of International Organizations
R23 - Regional Migration; Regional Labor Markets; Population; Neighborhood Characteristics
Subjects: B- ECONOMIE ET FINANCE
Divisions: TSE-R (Toulouse)
Site: UT1
Date Deposited: 18 Mar 2016 10:57
Last Modified: 15 Feb 2021 15:10
OAI Identifier: oai:tse-fr.eu:30368
URI: https://publications.ut-capitole.fr/id/eprint/20139
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