Inequality in Japan (1892–1941): Physical stature, income, and health

Bassino, Jean‐Pascal

doi:10.1016/j.ehb.2005.10.002

Cited by 46 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…If similar calculations are done for height using the time period 1870-1890, one obtains a value of beta of -0.012, which implies a half-life of approximately 53 years and a convergence rate of 1.3% annually. The finding is similar to the Mankiw et al (1992) estimates from their conditional-convergence regressions, Komlos's estimates (2006) for the Habsburg Monarchy, and Bassino's (2006) estimates for Japan.…”

Section: Conditional Convergencesupporting

confidence: 85%

“…The stature literature examines the relationship between income and height-using height as an indicator of health-and the socioeconomic and geographical determinants of height; however, only recently have scholars analyzed the convergence of stature (Bassino 2006;Komlos 2006). Convergence examines the effect of initial conditions on long-run economic outcomes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Convergence (and divergence) in the biological standard of living in the USA, 1820–1900

2007

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Standard economic indicators suggest that the USA experienced long-run economic growth throughout the nineteenth century. However, biological indicators, including human stature, offer a different picture, rising early in the century, falling (on average) mid-century, and rising again at the end of the century. This pattern varied across geographical regions. Using a unique data set, consisting of mean adult stature by state, we test for convergence in stature among states in the nineteenth century. We find that during the period of declining mean stature (1820-1870), heights actually diverged. Later in the century (1870-1890) we find a type of ''negative'' convergence indicating that stature among states tended to converge to a new, lower steady state. Only towards the end of the century (1880-1900) do we find classic convergence behavior. We argue that the diversity of economic experiences across regions, including urbanization, industrialization, and transportation improvements, explain this pattern of divergence and then convergence.

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Section: Conditional Convergencesupporting

confidence: 85%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Convergence (and divergence) in the biological standard of living in the USA, 1820–1900

2007

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“…Stature itself is a part of this picture of reduced social mobility. Several studies have shown that physical height is linked to career success (Judge and Cable ), income (Bassino ; Steckel ), socioeconomic status, and education (Mayer and Selmer ).…”

Section: Case Study: Biosocial Inheritance Of Stature In the Andesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biosocial Inheritance: A Framework for the Study of the Intergenerational Transmission of Health Disparities

Hoke¹,

McDade²

2014

Annals of Anthropol Pract

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Proponents of global market expansion claim that economic growth brings prosperity and creates a more equitable global society, yet these efforts may result in the exacerbation of economic disparities that translates into significant disparities in health. These trends underscore the importance of research examining the social determinants of health in an increasingly unequal world. This article brings together concepts from biocultural anthropology, developmental origins of health and disease, and research examining the long‐term effects of early environments on social capital to formulate the notion of biosocial inheritance. Biosocial inheritance is the process whereby social adversity in one generation is transmitted to the next through reinforcing biological and social mechanisms that impair health, exacerbating social and health disparities. Such a theoretical framework considers contemporary and historic political‐economic forces that shape inequalities in human health, across generations. We examine the biosocial determinants of growth in the Andes as a case study of biosocial inheritance, developing a model that will illuminate the contemporary and historic sources of persistent poverty in low‐income communities around the world. By highlighting the biosocial mechanisms underpinning the intergenerational transmission of poverty, this model allows for the formulation of interventions aimed at breaking the cycle of poverty and a reconsideration of the way we think about poverty and social mobility.

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“…Anthropometricians use stature as an alternative measure of inequality, as this measure complements conventional inequality indicators nicely and, in some respects, constitutes perhaps an even better indicator (Bassino, 2006;Blum and Baten, 2011;Komlos, 2007;Komlos and Meermann, 2007;Steckel, 1995). Final (adult) average height and height inequality reflect a birth cohort's net nutritional intake during childhood and youth; hence, it is a primary indicator of the nutritional and health statuses of a population.…”

Section: Methodology and Advantages Of Height Inequality Measuresmentioning

confidence: 99%