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Early life adversity, biological adaptation, and human capital: evidence from an interrupted malaria control program in Zambia

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  • Fink, Günther
  • Venkataramani, Atheendar S.
  • Zanolini, Arianna

Abstract

Growing evidence from evolutionary biology demonstrates how early life shocks trigger physiological changes designed to be adaptive in challenging environments. We examine the implications of one type of physiological adaptation – immunity formation - for human capital accumulation. Using variation in early life malaria risk generated by an interrupted disease control program in Zambia, we show that exposure to infectious diseases during the first two years of life can reduce the harmful effects of malaria exposure on cognitive development during the preschool years. These findings suggest a non-linear and trajectory-dependent relationship between early life adversity and human capital formation.

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  • Fink, Günther & Venkataramani, Atheendar S. & Zanolini, Arianna, 2021. "Early life adversity, biological adaptation, and human capital: evidence from an interrupted malaria control program in Zambia," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jhecon:v:80:y:2021:i:c:s016762962100117x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2021.102532
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    3. Simon Chang & Kamhon Kan, 2023. "Do good carefully: The long‐term effects of low‐dose DDT exposure in early childhood on education, marriage and employment," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(4), pages 807-821, April.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Human capital; Early childhood; Immunity; Biological responses; Cognition; Education; Malaria;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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