Short-Term Pain, Long-Term Gain? The Effects of IMF Economic Reform Programs on Public Health Performance.

Objectives In this study, we evaluate the effects of the International Monetary Fund's structural adjustment programs (SAPs) on the public health performance of countries. We test the claim made by proponents of SAPs that although these programs may produce short-term hardship for the countries adop...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Social Science Quarterly (Wiley-Blackwell) Vol. 95; no. 4; pp. 1022 - 1043
Main Authors: Hoddie, Matthew, Hartzell, Caroline A.
Format: Article
Published: Wiley-Blackwell Dec2014
Subjects:
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
fields @attributes:
  recordID: 1
pdfLink:
plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ssf&AN=99219375&site=ehost-live
header:
  @attributes:
    shortDbName: ssf
    uiTerm: 99219375
    longDbName: Social Sciences Full Text (H.W. Wilson)
    uiTag: AN
  controlInfo:
    bkinfo:
    jinfo:
      jid:
        00384941
        SSQ
      jtl: Social Science Quarterly (Wiley-Blackwell)
      issn: 00384941
      maglogo: Y
    pubinfo:
      dt: Dec2014
      vid: 95
      iid: 4
      pid: 480
      pub: Wiley-Blackwell
    artinfo:
      ui:
        99219375
        10.1111/ssqu.12068
      ppf: 1022
      ppct: 21
      formats:
      tig:
        atl: Short-Term Pain, Long-Term Gain? The Effects of IMF Economic Reform Programs on Public Health Performance.
      aug:
        au:
          Hoddie, Matthew
          Hartzell, Caroline A.
        affil:
          Towson University
          Gettysburg College
      su:
        International Monetary Fund
        Structural adjustment (Economic policy)
        Public health
        Economic reform
        Financial crises
      sug:
        subj:
          Structural adjustment (Economic policy)
          Public health
          Economic reform
          Financial crises
          International Monetary Fund
          International and other extra-territorial public administration
          International Affairs
          Health and Welfare Funds
      ab: Objectives In this study, we evaluate the effects of the International Monetary Fund's structural adjustment programs (SAPs) on the public health performance of countries. We test the claim made by proponents of SAPs that although these programs may produce short-term hardship for the countries adopting them, they will generate positive developmental effects in the long term. Methods Our study draws on a global data set and employs a model that takes into account the potential for selection bias in the adoption of SAPs by states. Results The central finding of the article is that SAPs in the short term raise the exposure of populations to conditions that increase incidences of disability and death. Contrary to the assertions made by the advocates of SAPs, we also find evidence that these programs have attenuated but still harmful effect on public health performance in the long term. Conclusions This study highlights the negative influences of SAPs on public health and suggests that a need exists to reevaluate the claims that have been made regarding the developmental effects of these programs.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype: Article
      src: R
    language: English
    refInfo:
    copyright:
      @attributes:
        flag: N
    holdings:
      @attributes:
        islocal: N