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Effect of Stress on Later‐Life Health: Evidence from the Vietnam War Draft

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  • Daniel Grossman
  • John Cawley
  • Damien de Walque

Abstract

This article contributes to the literature examining how stress during the early stages of life impacts later‐life health using a novel proxy for stress: risk of military induction during the Vietnam War. The article estimates that an increase in induction risk in young adulthood is associated with higher rates of obesity, endocrine disease, and hypertension later in life. These findings do not appear to be cohort effects; these associations exist only for men who did not serve in the war, not for same‐aged women. These results suggest stress experienced during early adulthood can have adverse health consequences later in life.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Grossman & John Cawley & Damien de Walque, 2018. "Effect of Stress on Later‐Life Health: Evidence from the Vietnam War Draft," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 85(1), pages 142-165, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:soecon:v:85:y:2018:i:1:p:142-165
    DOI: 10.1002/soej.12297
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    2. Hou, Benyufang & Liu, Hong & Wang, Sophie Xuefei, 2020. "Returns to military service in off-farm wage employment: Evidence from rural China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).
    3. Lutz Bellmann & Olaf Hübler, 2022. "Personality traits, working conditions and health: an empirical analysis based on the German Linked Personnel Panel, 2013–2017," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 16(2), pages 283-318, February.
    4. Benjamin W. Cowan & Nathan Tefft, 2020. "College Access and Adult Health," NBER Working Papers 26685, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.

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