Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-dh8gc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-19T00:49:16.747Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A Distributional Analysis of the Costs of Foodborne Illness: Who Ultimately Pays?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 April 2015

Elise H. Golan ,
Katherine L. Ralston  and
Paul D. Frenzen
Elise H. Golan
Affiliation:
Food and Rural Economics Division of the Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Katherine L. Ralston
Affiliation:
Food and Rural Economics Division of the Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Paul D. Frenzen
Affiliation:
Food and Rural Economics Division of the Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

This paper traces the economic impact of the costs of foodborne illness on the U.S. economy using a Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) framework. Previous estimates of the costs of seven foodborne pathogens are disaggregated by type, and distributed across the population using data from the National Health Interview Survey. Initial income losses resulting from premature death cause a decrease in economic activity. Medical costs, in contrast, result in economic growth, though this growth does not outweigh the total costs of premature death. A SAM accounting of how the costs of illness are diffused through the economy provides useful information for policy makers.

Keywords

cost of illnessfoodborne illnessSocial Accounting Matrix
Type
Invited Paper Sessions
Information
Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics , Volume 30 , Issue 1 , July 1998 , pp. 95 - 107
Copyright
Copyright © Southern Agricultural Economics Association 1998

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Bean, J.A., and Hoffman, K.L.. “Covariances for Estimated Totals When Comparing Between Years.” Vital and Health Statistics, Series 2, No. 114. National Center for Health Statistics, Hyattsville MD, 1992.Google Scholar
Benson, V., and Marano, M.A.. “Current Estimates from the National Health Interview Survey, 1993.” Vital and Health Statistics, Series 10, No. 190. National Center for Health Statistics, Hyattsville MD, 1994.Google Scholar
Bloom, B., Simpson, G., Cohen, R.A., and Parsons, P.E.. “ Access to Health Care, Part 2: Working Age Adults.” Vital and Health Statistics, Series 10, No. 197. National Center for Health Statistics, Hyattsville MD, 1997.Google Scholar
Buzby, J.C., and Roberts, T.. “ERS Estimates of U.S.Foodborne Disease Costs.” USDA, Economic Research Service. Food Rev. (May-August 1995):37–42.Google Scholar
Buzby, J.C., Roberts, T., Lin, C.-T.J., and MacDonald, J.. “Bacterial Foodborne Disease: Medical Costs and Productivity Losses.” Pub. No. AER 741, USDA/ERS, Food and Consumer Economics Div., Washington DC, August 1996.Google Scholar
Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST). “Foodborne Pathogens: Risks and Consequences.” CAST Task Force Rep. No. 122, Washington DC, September 1994.Google Scholar
Garthright, W.E., Archer, D.L., and Kvemberg, J.E.. “Estimates of the Incidence and Costs of Intestinal Infectious Diseases in the United States.” Public Health Reports 103(1988):107-15.Google ScholarPubMed
Hanson, K., Vogel, S.J., and Golan, E.H.. “A Computable General Equilibrium Framework for Analyzing Welfare Reform.” USDA/ERS, Food and Rural Economics Div., Washington DC, forthcoming 1998.Google Scholar
Landefeld, J.S., and Seskin, E.P.. “The Economic Value of Life: Linking Theory to Practice.” Amer. J. Public Health 6(1982):555-66.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lutz, E., ed.Toward Improved Accounting for the Environment. Washington DC: World Bank, 1992.Google Scholar
National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). Public Use Tape Documentation, Part III: Medical Coding Manual and Short Index. NCHS: Hyattsville MD, 1990.Google Scholar
Paulin, G.D., and Weber, W.D.. “The Effects of Health Insurance on Consumer Spending.” Monthly Labor Rev. 118(1995):34–54.Google ScholarPubMed
Roberts, T, Murrel, K.D., and Marks, S.. “Economic Losses Caused by Foodborne Parasistic Diseases.” Parasitology Today 10(1994):419-23.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Steahr, T.E. “Foodborne Illness in the United States: Geographic and Demographic Patterns.” Internat. J. Environ. Health Res. 4(1994):183-95.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis. “The Input-Output Structure of the U.S. Economy, 1977.” Survey of Current Business 64,5(May 1984):42–84.Google Scholar