The nexus between corruption and health outcomes: an empirical study on African countries

Purpose The paper investigates the direct and indirect impacts of corruption on health outcomes in the African region during the period 1996–2022. Design/methodology/approach A simultaneous equation model is employed to investigate this relationship. Data were extracted from World Development Indicators and Worldwide Governance Indicators issued by the World Bank. Findings Our empirical findings indicate that control of corruption (COC) has a direct positive impact on health outcomes, as well as an indirect negative effect through the channel of economic growth. However, the direct impact dominates the indirect one, leading to a total positive impact of COC on health. Therefore, improvement in health outcomes in the region requires a sustained commitment to tackle corruption through the existence of a strong political will to fortify fiscal and anti-corruption institutions, enhance government effectiveness, strengthen anti-corruption laws that enforce zero-tolerance of corrupt behavior and improve corporate governance and the checks and balances system. This should also be associated with policies targeted at enhancing expenditure on health care, human resources for health, economic growth, access to health care services and environmental quality. Originality/value To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first attempt to investigate the direct and indirect impacts of corruption on health outcomes in the region.