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Early-life medical care and human capital accumulation

Author

Listed:
  • N. Meltem Daysal

    (University of Copenhagen and CEBI, Denmark, and IZA, Germany)

  • Jonas Cuzulan Hirani

    (The Danish Center for Social Science Research (VIVE), Denmark)

Abstract

Ample empirical evidence links adverse conditions during early childhood (the period from conception to age five) to worse health outcomes and lower academic achievement in adulthood. Can early-life medical care and public health interventions ameliorate these effects? Recent research suggests that both types of interventions may benefit not only child health but also long-term educational outcomes. In some cases, the effects of interventions may spillover to other family members. These findings can be used to design policies that improve long-term outcomes and reduce economic inequality.

Suggested Citation

  • N. Meltem Daysal & Jonas Cuzulan Hirani, 2021. "Early-life medical care and human capital accumulation," IZA World of Labor, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), pages 217-217, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izawol:journl:2021:n:217
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    medical care; public health; children; schooling; test scores; human capital;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I11 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Analysis of Health Care Markets
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth

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