Do Spa Visits Improve Health: Evidence From German Micro Data
The health benefits of spas have been hypothesized for centuries. If this hypothesis is correct, spa therapy offers a low cost alternative to more expensive and potentially more invasive medical treatments for ailments such as back pain and arthritis. We use individual-level panel data to isolate the effect of spa therapy on missed workdays and hospital visits in Germany. Simple correlations suggest a self-selection bias — spa visits are associated with increased absenteeism and hospitalization. However, when we exploit the longitudinal nature of the data, we find that spa therapy leads to a statistically significant reduction in both absenteeism and hospitalization, though it is not clear if these health benefits justify the cost of spa therapy. Eastern Economic Journal (2008) 34, 364–374. doi:10.1057/palgrave.eej.9050038
Year of publication: |
2008
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Authors: | Klick, Jonathan ; Stratmann, Thomas |
Published in: |
Eastern Economic Journal. - Palgrave Macmillan, ISSN 0094-5056. - Vol. 34.2008, 3, p. 364-374
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Publisher: |
Palgrave Macmillan |
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