Page 17 - GHES-3-1

Global Health Economics and
Sustainability
Energy consumption and life expectancy in West Africa

income grows arithmetically. Therefore, GDP per head or issues in a country. High levels of corruption often signify
per capita may not have a significant impact on improving weak governance, lack of accountability, and ineffective
the lives of most citizens in West Africa. For instance, even institutions. These conditions can hinder economic
though Nigeria is rich in natural and human resources, it development and reduce living standards, affecting health
is one of the world’s poorest nations. In contrast, the long- outcomes and life expectancy. Rose-Ackerman (1999)
run coefficient of GDPpc was significant and positive; emphasized that corruption erodes trust in the government
suggesting that economic growth considerably affects and institutions, resulting in reduced public investments
livelihoods when it is allowed to trickle down. This finding in crucial sectors, such as healthcare, further exacerbating
is in line with those of Acemoglu & Johnson (2007), public health challenges. The negative relationship between
Sargentis et al. (2021a), and Weitensfelder et al. (2024) CPI and LEXP underscores the interconnectedness of
who showed that an increase in income due to higher GDP corruption, governance, and public health. It highlights the
per capita is associated with better healthcare access and urgent need for comprehensive anti-corruption measures
outcomes. These findings support the fact that aggregating and governance reforms to ensure efficient allocation
countries with differing income levels to determine the of resources, improved healthcare access, and enhanced
nexus between energy consumption and life expectancy societal well-being. Addressing corruption positively
can yield misleading results. This finding also resonates affects governance and contributes to long and healthy
with the finding of Sargentis et al. (2021a), who showed lives for citizens.
that GDP per capita positively correlates with energy
consumption and, thus, exhibits the same pattern of Finally, FP has a negative but non-significant
behavior with life expectancy. relationship with LEXP. A positive relationship between
food production and life expectancy indicates that
The long-run coefficient of HEXP showed that it had a
positive and significant effect on LEXP in lower-middle- the distribution and accessibility of food are essential
income countries in West Africa. This implies that investing considerations for an improved and healthy life. However,
in healthcare can have profoundly positive effects on the even if food production increases, it does not necessarily
overall well-being and longevity of a population. Although mean that all segments of the population have equal
the impact may not be evident in the short run, as indicated access to nutritious and sufficient food. Thus, the impact
by the non-significance of the parameter estimate, it will of an increase in food production would be marginal. An
become evident in the long run as shown by the significant increase in income makes access to food possible; poverty
long-run estimates. However, achieving the best outcomes diminishes this access. Devereux (2007) found that food
requires both increased spending and efficient allocation security, which includes both availability and accessibility,
of resources. Higher health expenditure often leads to is critical in ensuring positive health outcomes and
increased access to healthcare services, such as medical increasing life expectancy. In addition, the non-significant
treatments, preventive measures, and screenings. This can relationship highlights the importance of nutritional
result in better management of diseases and conditions, quality over quantity of food. Darmon & Drewnowski
early detection of health issues, and more timely and (2015) underscored that the nutritional composition
effective interventions, all of which contribute to longer of food, or a balanced diet, is essential for preventing
and healthier lives. Increased health expenditure also diet-related diseases and improving longevity. Thus,
depends on an increase in income level. merely increasing food production without considering
CPI and LEXP have a negative and significant nutritional value may not translate into significant
relationship both in the short (Panel B, Table 3) and long run improvements in life expectancy. The positive aspect of
(Panel A, Table 3). One major implication of this negative the relationship, even though non-significant, suggests
relationship is the potential adverse impact on public health that food production contributes positively to overall well-
and healthcare systems. Corruption within the healthcare being. Adequate food availability is a baseline requirement
sector can lead to misallocation of resources, embezzlement, for basic health and human survival. While other factors
and poor infrastructure, resulting in inadequate access to may have a strong influence on life expectancy, a steady
quality healthcare services. CMI (2008) highlighted that food supply remains a fundamental necessity. In contrast,
corruption in healthcare systems can compromise the Sargentis et al. (2021b) showed that living prosperously
delivery of essential medical services, leading to reduced (quality of life) is associated with higher caloric supply,
life expectancy due to preventable diseases and lack of which is in line with our a priori economic expectation.
proper medical care. Moreover, the negative correlation This may be true for many developed countries but not for
between CPI and LEXP also points to broader governance developing countries.

Volume 3 Issue 1 (2025) 9 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.3518