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ABSTRACT:
Families in developing countries face enormous financial risks from major illness both in terms of the cost of medical care and the loss in income associated with reduced labor supply and productivity. We test whether access to microfinancial savings and lending institutions helps Indonesian families smooth consumption after declines in adult health. In general, results support the importance of these institutions in helping families to self-insure consumption against health shocks.

SUGGESTED CITATION:
Paul Gertler, David I. Levine, and Enrico Moretti, "Do Microfinance Programs Help Families Insure Consumption Against Illness?" (February 5, 2003). Center for International and Development Economics Research. Paper C03-129.
http://repositories.cdlib.org/iber/cider/C03-129