Mortality risks induced by the costs of regulations

Regulatory costs are ultimately paid for by the individuals in our society. The reduction in disposable income can lead to changes in purchasing, such as for safety and health care; stress, such as from job loss; and behavior, such as smoking or alcohol consumption. On average, these changes induce greater mortality risks and lead to premature deaths. This paper examines cases in which regulatory costs are primarily placed either on the general public or on individuals in a specific industry. Several policy issues concerning the mortality risks of regulatory costs are addressed. Neglecting the consideration of the fatalities induced by regulatory costs in the setting of regulations will lead to unnecessary deaths of Americans. © 1994 Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Duke Scholars

Author Ralph L. Keeney Fuqua School of Business