Question 1:

The table below shows the relative risk of cardiovascular diseases among female nurses who were born at low birth weights compared to the average birth weight. For example, the risk of cardiovascular disease was 23% higher for those who were born at low birth weight compared to those born at average birth weight. Describe the data in light of what you know about the thrifty phenotype hypothesis.

Average birth weight

(3.2 - 3.9 kg)

Low birth weight

(2.5 - 3.2 kg)

Very low birth weight

(2.3 - 2.5 kg)

Extremely low birth weight

<2.3 kg

All cardiovascular diseases

100%

123%

129%

127%

Source: Data from Table 1 in Rich-Edwards et al. (2005)

Question 2:

Joe used to have a higher income. However, he developed an illness which led to fewer work hours and lower income.As his income fell, he needed to cut costs and began to eat inexpensive fast food.This led to a pre-diabetic condition and even further loss of income.At this point he needed to sell his car and began to skip doctor appointments due to transportation problems.Whichof the theories discussed in lecture could explain this situation, and why?

Question 3:

Bart and Lisa are identical in every way except that Bart is impatient (that is, he has a low discount factor ) and Lisa is patient (that is, she has a high discount factor ). According to the time preference (or Fuchs) hypothesis, who is more likely to have a better health outcome and why?

Question 4:

What are three types of disparities that are observed in health and access to health? Discuss the existing evidence of whether these health disparities are eliminated in counties that have universal health insurance.

Question 5:

In three sentences, describe whether you think poor health causes poor socioeconomic status or poor socioeconomic status causes poor health or whether there are other factors that affect both health and socioeconomic status.