Economics of Sport, Health and Happiness

Including an array of distinguished contributors, this novel book fills a gap in the literature by addressing an important yet under researched issue in the field of sports economics. It places great emphasis on the notion that sport is a significant component for improving the happiness, health and well-being of citizens, communities and society as a whole. In so doing, it addresses whether, in an environment of increasing pressure on public spending, governments should continue to subsidise sporting activities at the expense of other public resources.

Written in a clear and accessible style, this pioneering book explores a number of specific issues including:

• the relationship between sport and happiness
• the effect of sport on health, including the capacity of sport and exercise to reduce spending on medical expenses
• the relationship between sport and productivity
• whether sport as a leisure activity can improve quality of life.

Innovative and original, this volume will strongly appeal to students and researchers of sport, health and welfare economics.

Contributors include: C. Breuer, C. Cabane, M. Davis, P. Downward, C. End, D. Forrest, J. Garcia Villar, H. Huang, B. Humphreys, G. Kavetsos, M. Lechner, J. Leyva, I. McHale, S. Oreffice, T. Pawlowski, J. Price, C. Quintana-Domeque, S. Rasciute, J. Ruseski, N. Sari, D.H. Simon