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The Long-Term Health Effects of Mass Political Violence: Evidence from China’s Cultural Revolution

Author

Listed:
  • Asadul Islam

    (Monash University)

  • Paul Raschky

    (Monash University)

  • Russell Smyth

    (Monash University)

Abstract

We examine the long-term health effects of mass political violence experienced in utero and in adolescence using China’s Cultural Revolution as a natural experiment. We find that individuals who were in utero in the Cultural Revolution have reduced lung capacity later in life. We also find that individuals who were adolescents in the Cultural Revolution have higher blood pressure and reduced ability to engage in activities of daily living later in life. Females who were adolescents in the Cultural Revolution have reduced lung capacity later in life, while males who were adolescents in the Cultural Revolution have reduced cognitive function later in life. We find that these effects are channelled through childhood health and education as well as height, which itself is a marker of childhood health.

Suggested Citation

  • Asadul Islam & Paul Raschky & Russell Smyth, 2017. "The Long-Term Health Effects of Mass Political Violence: Evidence from China’s Cultural Revolution," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 132(1), pages 257-272, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:132:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1007_s11205-015-1030-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-015-1030-6
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    Cited by:

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    5. Jiyuan Wang & Rob Alessie & Viola Angelini, 2023. "Exposure in utero to adverse events and health late‐in‐life: Evidence from China," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(3), pages 541-557, March.
    6. Zachary Zimmer & Kim Korinek & Yvette Young & Bussarawan Teerawichitchainan & Tran Khanh Toan, 2022. "Early-Life War Exposure and Later-Life Frailty Among Older Adults in Vietnam: Does War Hasten Aging? [Children of war: The long-run effects of large-scale physical destruction and warfare on childr," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 77(9), pages 1674-1685.
    7. Lin, Chung-Liang, 2021. "Postpartum medical utilization: The role of prenatal economic activity and living costs," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 41(C).
    8. Wang, Chao & Feng, Chen & Bai, Caiquan, 2023. "Industrial policy and resident health: Historical evidence from China’s Third Front construction," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    9. Mevlude Akbulut-Yuksel & Zachary Zimmer & Sujita Pandey & Tran Khanh Toan, 2024. "Untold Story of Wartime Children: Results of the Vietnam Health and Aging Study," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 43(2), pages 1-24, April.
    10. Haas, Steven A. & Ramirez, Daniel, 2022. "Childhood exposure to war and adult onset of cardiometabolic disorders among older Europeans," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 309(C).

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