This synthesis paper describes the HIV epidemics in 15 West African countries - Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. It focuses particularly on the degree to which the epidemics...

Using two decades of data from twelve low-income countries in West Africa, we show that dust carried by harmattan trade winds increases infant and child mortality. Health investments respond to dust exposure, consistent with compensating behaviors. Despite these efforts, surviving children still...

Using two decades of data from twelve low-income countries in West Africa, we show that dust carried by harmattan trade winds increases infant and child mortality. Health investments respond to dust exposure, consistent with compensating behaviors. Despite these efforts, surviving children still...

The West African Ebola epidemic is a pivotal moment for the global health system. Just as the depth of the crisis ultimately spurred an unprecedented response, the failures of leadership demand innovative reforms. This analysis offers a template for these reforms, responding to the profound...

This paper investigates how political incentives affect the government's response during a health epidemic, and the subsequent effects on citizens' voting behavior. Leveraging unique newly constructed data, I study this question in the context of the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Liberia. Building a...

Using two decades of data from twelve low-income countries in West Africa, we show that dust carried by harmattan trade winds increases infant and child mortality. Health investments respond to dust exposure, consistent with compensating behaviors. Despite these efforts, surviving children still...

The fragility of public health systems in developing countries stands out during times of acute crisis. Rare, highly contagious, and deadly diseases like the Ebola outbreak in West Africa tax systems of health care delivery that are geared more toward disease prevention and detection. Now, after...