On May 31, 2023, Belinda Archibong, assistant professor of economics, published new research in the Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization titled “The epidemic effect: Epidemics, institutions and human capital development.” The study, which examines data from the African meningitis belt, explores how global governance institutions can reverse epidemics’ negative effects on economic development.
Analyses by Archibong and her co-authors reveal that children born in meningitis shock areas tend to experience worse health outcomes. These negative effects, however, do not emerge when the World Health Organization (WHO) declares an epidemic year. Children born in meningitis shock areas in a year when an epidemic is declared are significantly healthier (i.e., less stunted and less underweight) than their peers born in nonepidemic years.
The researchers conclude that epidemics tend to negatively impact economic development unless they are mitigated by global governance institutions like the WHO. This finding has major implications for policy-related decision-making since climate change is expected to significantly increase the incidence of epidemic shocks around the world.