Newhouse, Joseph P., and Lindy J. Friedlander. 1980. "The Relationship Between Medical Resources and Measures of Health: Some Additional Evidence." Journal of Human Resources 15(2):200-218.

The relationship between an area's medical resources and physiological measures of individual health status is examined. Variables such as age, sex, race, education, and income are controlled for. The physiological measures include diastolic blood pressure, serum cholesterol concentration, electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, varicose veins, and periodontal disease. Although additional education and income were associated with fewer abnormal chest X-rays and less periodontal disease, the physiological measures were little affected by additional medical resources. The results are consistent with the view that what the individual does (or does not) do for himself affects health more than do additional medical resources.

The authors are in the Economics Department of the Rand Corporation. The research reported here was performed pursuant to a grant from the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. The opinions and conclusions expressed are solely those of the authors and should not be construed as representing the opinions or policy of any agency of the United States government. The authors would like to thank William Butz and Robert Inman for comments on a preliminary draft.

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