Health and Wealth: the Contribution of Welfare State Policies to Economic Growth

Lena Sommestad 2001

Unlike economic theories and strategies of the last twenty years, this paper claims that health helps to create wealth, i.e. not only the other way around. It is argued that a human capital approach with investments in people is important for social justice, equal opportunities, or quality of life, but furthermore a mechanism for wealth creation—it closes the gap between economic and social goals.

Download Working Paper 2001 no.3

Unlike economic theories and strategies of the last twenty years, this paper claims that health helps to create wealth, i.e. not only the other way around. It is argued that a human capital approach with investments in people is important for social justice, equal opportunities, or quality of life, but furthermore a mechanism for wealth creation—it closes the gap between economic and social goals.

Download Working Paper 2001 no.3