Categories: ECONOMY

Is broadband good for you?


Kathryn R. Johnson and Claudia Persico have a new NBER working paper on exactly that topic:

Between 2000 and 2008, access to high-speed, broadband internet grew significantly in the United States, but there is debate on whether access to high-speed internet improves or harms wellbeing. We find that a ten percent increase in the proportion of county residents with access to broadband internet leads to a 1.01 percent reduction in the number of suicides in a county, as well as improvements in self-reported mental and physical health. We further find that this reduction in suicide deaths is likely due to economic improvements in counties that have access to broadband internet. Counties with increased access to broadband internet see reductions in poverty rate and unemployment rate. In addition, zip codes that gain access to broadband internet see increases in the numbers of employees and establishments. In addition, heterogeneity analysis indicates that the positive effects are concentrated in the working age population, those between 25 and 64 years old. This pattern is precisely what is predicted by the literature linking economic conditions to suicide risk.

It seems broadband is indeed (was indeed?) good for you.




Source link

Mainedigitalnews.com

Share
Published by
Mainedigitalnews.com

Recent Posts

Prison Shows

By Jan Cohen-Cruz. In this episode, shows develop in the various workshops. The impact of…

6 hours ago

Submit your questions for Live From the Blue Seats

Live From the Blue Seats is back at it tonight as Dave and Producer JL…

6 hours ago

Is The Bull Market Over?

Key takeaways:BTC open interest falls to $34 billion, but stable BTC-denominated volume suggests leverage demand…

6 hours ago

The Addams Family to St Elmo’s Fire: 12 of the best alternative romantic films

AlamyJulie & Julia (2009)Nora Ephron wrote When Harry Met Sally and she wrote and directed…

6 hours ago

That Was Then/This is Now

Hat tip: Logan Dobson. The post That Was Then/This is Now appeared first on Marginal…

6 hours ago

How to Choose the Right International University for Your Career Goals

Enrolling in an international university is a step that would influence every aspect of learning…

6 hours ago