Refrigeration, Diets and Human Health: Evidence from Ghana
Monday, November 3rd at 12:00 pm an hybrid EIEE Seminar-Webinar will be held by Francois Cohen.
Francois will present the working paper: “Refrigeration, Diets and Human Health: Evidence from Ghana” (Enoch Ntsiful and Francois Cohen, Chair of Energy Sustainability, Institute of Economics of Barcelona, University of Barcelona).
Abstract: “Refrigeration is spreading rapidly and transforming diets in sub-Saharan Africa, yet its consequences have received little policy or research attention. Using nationally representative data from Ghana, we provide the first causal evidence on its effects on food security and nutrition. Our identification exploits appliance breakdowns, comparing households with functioning and broken refrigerators purchased at the same price and time. Losing access raises the probability of food insecurity by 25 percent and reduces consumption of animal-sourced foods, likely lowering absorption of vitamin B12, haem iron, zinc and calcium. We provide evidence that refrigeration is a powerful but overlooked lever to improve diet quality and reduce micronutrient deficiencies in low-income settings.”
Registration required: https://cmcc-it.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_EIXiXpEhTKO7F8Brce-XRw
