Early life weather and longevity: Evidence from the  Chinese elite 1-1840

11/21/2018 12:00 pm 11/21/2018 01:00 pm Australia/Melbourne Early life weather and longevity: Evidence from the  Chinese elite 1-1840

The Centre For Health Economics invites you to a research seminar 'Early life weather and longevity: Evidence from the  Chinese elite 1-1840' presented by Associate Professor Wang-Sheng Lee, from Deakin University.

No RSVP is required.

Abstract summary

Using a database of famous people in China from the Han Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, we examine the trend of mortality during this period of Chinese history. Following initial steady improvements in longevity, there was a long period where there was no observable trend in longevity between the 8th Century and mid-18th century, with marked decreases observed after 1750. We further analyse causal effects of conditions early in life on lifespan. Conditions early in life are captured by climate shocks, which are plausibly exogenous from the individual point of view. Our findings suggest that prior to the advent of modern medicine in the 19th century, negative climate shocks in childhood had negative effects on mortality rates of the Chinese elite later in life.

Presenter

Wang-Sheng Lee is an Associate Professor in the Department of Economics at Deakin University which he joined in 2012. His research interests include program evaluation techniques, health and labour economics, happiness economics, obesity, and more recently the economics of China. He is the recipient of the 2012/2013 Lawrence R. Klein Award from Empirical Economics, a biannual prize awarded for the best paper published in the journal.

Download the full seminar program here.

Event Details

Date:
21 November 2018 at 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Venue:
RB Scotton Room, 2nd floor, Room 278, 15 Innovation Walk, Clayton Campus
Categories:
Health Economics

Description

The Centre For Health Economics invites you to a research seminar 'Early life weather and longevity: Evidence from the  Chinese elite 1-1840' presented by Associate Professor Wang-Sheng Lee, from Deakin University.

No RSVP is required.

Abstract summary

Using a database of famous people in China from the Han Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, we examine the trend of mortality during this period of Chinese history. Following initial steady improvements in longevity, there was a long period where there was no observable trend in longevity between the 8th Century and mid-18th century, with marked decreases observed after 1750. We further analyse causal effects of conditions early in life on lifespan. Conditions early in life are captured by climate shocks, which are plausibly exogenous from the individual point of view. Our findings suggest that prior to the advent of modern medicine in the 19th century, negative climate shocks in childhood had negative effects on mortality rates of the Chinese elite later in life.

Presenter

Wang-Sheng Lee is an Associate Professor in the Department of Economics at Deakin University which he joined in 2012. His research interests include program evaluation techniques, health and labour economics, happiness economics, obesity, and more recently the economics of China. He is the recipient of the 2012/2013 Lawrence R. Klein Award from Empirical Economics, a biannual prize awarded for the best paper published in the journal.

Download the full seminar program here.

E-Mail
che-enquiries@monash.edu