Health, Happiness and Adaptation: an economic perspective

In this paper we present a theoretical frame work for the analysis of the economic relevance of adaptation as an “happiness engine” in bad health conditions. Positing that for a given individual the level of health is quite separate from the degree of adaptation and its effect on happiness, we aim to verify if gaps between health and happiness do exist and which factors can be connected to them. Having provided a general model of health related happiness determination structured on three happiness components, we define the adaptation process and the relevance of its monetary and non-monetary costs. We then test some features of the model using data from the SHARE survey of health, ageing and retirement in Europe (Release 2.0.1, 2007). We eventually conclude with some suggestions for future research and present a number of actual options for health policy.