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Does education improve health? A reexamination of the evidence from compulsory schooling laws

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  • Bhashkar Mazumder

Abstract

This article analyzes the impact of compulsory schooling laws early in the twentieth century on long-term health. The author finds no compelling evidence for a causal link between education and health using this research design. Further, the results suggest that only a small fraction of health conditions are affected by education, and several of those are conditions, such as sight and hearing, where economic theories don?t appear to be relevant.

Suggested Citation

  • Bhashkar Mazumder, 2008. "Does education improve health? A reexamination of the evidence from compulsory schooling laws," Economic Perspectives, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, vol. 32(Q II), pages 2-16.
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedhep:y:2008:i:qii:p:2-16:n:v.32no.2
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    Keywords

    Education - Economic aspects; Health;

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