The Impact of the Diffusion of Information and Communication Technology on Health: A Cross-Country Study

Abstract

This study employed aggregate data drawn from the World Bank database for 61 countries for the period 2000 to 2009 and quantitatively evaluated the impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) diffusion on health outcomes. The empirical methodology included a dynamic panel data (DPD) model and a fixed effect (FE) model. The results show that the diffusion of the Internet and fixed and mobile telephones was positively associated with life expectancy. The diffusion of fixed and mobile telephones was associated with a reduction in infant and under-five mortality rates. The diffusion of the Internet was associated with a higher prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The diffusion of mobile phones was associated with decreases in the incidence of tuberculosis. An important policy implication for governments worldwide is that investing in ICT infrastructures and educating the public the use of ICT can be an alternative policy to improve health.