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The health impacts of universal early childhood interventions: evidence from Sure Start

Author

Listed:
  • Sarah Cattan

    (Institute for Fiscal Studies and Institute for Fiscal Studies)

  • Gabriella Conti

    (Institute for Fiscal Studies and University College London)

  • Christine Farquharson

    (Institute for Fiscal Studies and Institute for Fiscal Studies)

  • Rita Ginja

    (Institute for Fiscal Studies and University of Bergen)

  • Maud Pecher

    (Institute for Fiscal Studies)

Abstract

We evaluate the short- and medium-term heath impacts of Sure Start, a large-scale and univer-sal early childhood program in England. We exploit the rollout of the program and implement a difference-in-difference approach, combining data on the exact location and opening date of Sure Start centers with administrative data on the universe of admissions to public-sector hospitals. Exposure to an additional Sure Start center per thousand age-eligible children increases hospitalization by 10% at age 1 (around 6,700 hospitalizations per year), but reduces them by 8-9% across ages 11 to 15 (around 13,150 hospitalizations per year). These findings show that early childhood programs that are less intensive than small-scale ‘model programs’ can deliver significant health benefits, even in contexts with universal healthcare. Impacts are driven by hospitalizations for preventable conditions and are concentrated in disadvantaged areas, suggesting that enriching early childhood environments might be a successful strategy to reduce inequalities in health.

Suggested Citation

  • Sarah Cattan & Gabriella Conti & Christine Farquharson & Rita Ginja & Maud Pecher, 2021. "The health impacts of universal early childhood interventions: evidence from Sure Start," IFS Working Papers W21/25, Institute for Fiscal Studies.
  • Handle: RePEc:ifs:ifsewp:21/25
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Joseph P. Romano & Michael Wolf, 2005. "Stepwise Multiple Testing as Formalized Data Snooping," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 73(4), pages 1237-1282, July.
    2. Jonah B. Gelbach, 2002. "Public Schooling for Young Children and Maternal Labor Supply," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 92(1), pages 307-322, March.
    3. Guthrie Gray-Lobe & Parag A Pathak & Christopher R Walters, 2023. "The Long-Term Effects of Universal Preschool in Boston," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 138(1), pages 363-411.
    4. Elizabeth U. Cascio, 2009. "Maternal Labor Supply and the Introduction of Kindergartens into American Public Schools," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 44(1).
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    Cited by:

    1. Mara Barschkett, 2022. "Age-specific Effects of Early Daycare on Children's Health," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 2028, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
    2. Barschkett, Mara & Bosque-Mercader, Laia, 2024. "Building Health across Generations: Unraveling the Impact of Early Childcare on Maternal Health," VfS Annual Conference 2024 (Berlin): Upcoming Labor Market Challenges 302394, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    3. Claire Crawford & Laura Outhwaite, 2023. "Why should we invest in Early Childhood Education and Care?," CEPEO Briefing Note Series 24, UCL Centre for Education Policy and Equalising Opportunities, revised Mar 2023.
    4. Mara Barschkett, 2022. "Age-specific Effects of Early Daycare on Children’s Health," Berlin School of Economics Discussion Papers 0005, Berlin School of Economics.
    5. Barschkett, Mara, 2023. "Age-specific Effects of Early Daycare on Children's Health," VfS Annual Conference 2023 (Regensburg): Growth and the "sociale Frage" 277588, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.

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