Under this assumption that the Zika epidemic is related to the increased number of microcephaly cases, where would it impact Latin American economies? Tourism industry? Birth gaps control policies? Re-allocation of health care resources towards Zika prevention and control?
We published a blog post (link below) that explores the potential social and economic impact of the epidemic, but I would like to dig deeper and see how we can build evidence (and manage the knowledge gaps) on the economics of public health emergencies.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/potential-economic-impact-zika-virus-gatien-de-broucker
Dear Gatein,
Kindly go through these links. May be of some help to you.
1.Economic Impacts of the Zika Virus.http://globaledge.msu.edu/blog/post/36097/economic-impacts-of-the-zika-virus
2.Zika virus can have substantial economic impact in Americas.http://www.news-medical.net/news/20160211/Zika-virus-can-have-substantial-economic-impact-in-Americas.aspx
3.Zika virus is not only a health threat, but an economic one too.http://www.pbs.org/newshour/making-sense/zika-virus-is-not-only-a-health-threat-but-an-economic-one-too/
Dear Faizul,
Thank you for these links, it shows that the question of economic impact of Zika (and health emergencies in general) is of interest for policy-makers and businesses.
I would be interested to see whether other researchers here have tried to evaluate the economic impact of such health emergencies and how they would go about it for this one: how and where do we get useful data? Are there any relevant peer-reviewed article on the subject?
Gatien
I think this is a question of pertinent interest given the ongoing Zika outbreak. Yes, the economic impact is expected to be both Macro and Micro. Macroeconomic impact would directly relate to decline in tourism, low productivity because of work absenteeism, budgetary constraints in other sectors due to prioritization of health departments etc. However, the microeconomic impact especially to households with children born with Zika side effects can be huge in terms of short and long-term costs of care for the ill. I don't think we know much yet but it surely warrants detailed investigation.
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