Revisiting the Asymmetric Impact of Income Inequality and Health Outcomes in Nigeria: The Role of Climate Risk
- Abubakar Sule
- Naomi Onyeje Doki
- Raymond Liambee Aor
- ( paper pages. 105 - 134 )
Abstract
Using
a non-linear ARDL model, this study investigates the asymmetric relationship
between health outcomes and wealth disparity in Nigeria. It confirms that there is a consistent
association between the variables being studied. In the short term, income
inequality (GINI_POS and GINI_NEG) affects life expectancy negatively and
positively respectively, with only GINI_NEG being significant. In the long term,
both GINI_POS and GINI_NEG significantly influence life expectancy positively.
For maternal mortality, GINI_POS and GINI_NEG show significant effects both in
the short and long term. Regarding infant mortality, GINI_POS and GINI_NEG have
insignificant short-term positive effects, while in the long term, they exhibit
significant negative and insignificant positive effects respectively. Climate
risk negatively affects life expectancy in the short term, but its interaction
with income inequality positively affects health outcomes, albeit only for a short
period. The study concludes that income inequality significantly impacts health
outcomes in Nigeria and highlights the need for equitable income distribution
to mitigate the adverse effects of climate risks on health.
Citation
Abubakar Sule, Naomi Onyeje Doki, Raymond Liambee Aor.
2025.
"Revisiting the Asymmetric Impact of Income Inequality and Health Outcomes in Nigeria: The Role of Climate Risk"
The Nigerian Journal of Economic and Social Studies,
67 (1): 105 - 134.
JEL Classification
C23; I14; O11
