Rafaela Creamer, Chapter 9, Question 5

In chapter 9 Wheelan talked a lot about GDP implying that it is the best form of measurement to measure the economy. However he also states that GDP doesn't account for the economic activity that is not paid for, or the environmental degradation, or even the social well being that factors into this statistic. I found the passage about the social effect GDP in India has on its inhabitants. There are 100,000 cases of Leprosy in India. The cost to cure an mild case of leprosy is $3 and can be provided for free by The World Health Organization; however, the disease goes uncured because India's health care infrastructure isn't good enough to identify the afflicted and get them the medicine. India has a per capita GDP of $2,900 which puts them at the bottom of the economic market. Yet, as seen through the passage it shows how GDP is more than just a number.