The fatality and morbidity components of the value of statistical life

B-Tier
Journal: Journal of Health Economics
Year: 2016
Volume: 46
Issue: C
Pages: 90-99

Authors (2)

Gentry, Elissa Philip (not in RePEc) Viscusi, W. Kip (Vanderbilt University)

Score contribution per author:

1.005 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

The fatality risk–money tradeoff that is the value of a statistical life (VSL) may vary with the nature of the fatality event. While all fatalities involve loss of future life expectancy, the morbidity effects and their duration may differ. This article analyzes fatality risks accompanied by morbidity effects of different duration to disentangle the mortality and morbidity components of VSL using data from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI). The VSL is comprised of the sum of the value of the fatality risk and the value of the morbidity risk. Labor market valuations of morbidity risks are positive, even for fatalities that are caused by traumatic injuries. The value of the fatality risk is the dominant component of VSL, rather than the value of the morbidity risk.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:jhecon:v:46:y:2016:i:c:p:90-99
Journal Field
Health
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-29