November 2002

IZA DP No. 638: The Dynamics of Food Deprivation and Overall Health: Evidence from the Canadian National Population Health Survey

Logan McLeod, Michael R. Veall

The paper explores whether the responses to food deprivation questions on the longitudinal Canadian National Population Health Survey help explain the links between socio-economic status and health. Transitions in food deprivation status are correlated with changes in health status. While health transitions are correlated with changes in food deprivation status, there is little evidence that change in food deprivation status leads changes in health status but some evidence that change in health status leads change in food deprivation status.