RETURNS TO WOMEN OF INVESTING IN HEALTH:

Elements of an Agenda for Policy Research

Presentation for Workshop on “Economic Benefits of Investing in Women’s Health”

Ministry of Foreign AffairsOslo, Norway

Dean T. JamisonUniversity of Washington, USA

Investing in Health

1993 World Bank - World Development Report 1993: Investing in Health

World Bank Chief Economist – Larry Summers

2013 WDR 93 + 20 – Lancet Commission on “Investing in Health”

Public Investment Framework: 1. Resource Use

Resources Effects of Public Investment on Women1. Financial ($)

Will crowding out of private expenditures differentially benefit women?

2. Caretaker time Will formally provided services save women’s time?

Public Investment Framework: 2. Benefits

Benefit Effects of Public Investment on Women1. Better Health What patterns of public investment make the most

difference for the health of women? Children?

2. Financial Protection(impoverishments averted; money metric value of insurance provided)

Do women bear more than their share of financial risk? If so, what patterns of public expenditure will maximize protection against risk?

3. Productivity of household labor This will particularly benefit women.

4. Increased individual earnings (and national income)

Healthier women will have more access to formal labor markets and higher earnings when employed.

The Norwegian Initiative

Will focus attention on these questions.

Will give us better answers in two years time.