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Effects of the Minimum Wage on Child Health

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Listed:
  • George Wehby
  • Robert Kaestner
  • Wei Lyu
  • Dhaval M. Dave

Abstract

Effects of the minimum wage on labor market outcomes have been extensively debated and analyzed. Less studied, however, are other consequences of the minimum wage that stem from changes in a household’s income and labor supply. We examine the effects of the minimum wage on child health. To obtain estimates, we use data from the National Survey of Children’s Health in conjunction with a difference-in-differences research design. We find that an increase in the minimum wage throughout childhood is associated with a significant improvement in child health. A particularly interesting finding is that much of the benefits of a higher minimum wage are associated with the period between birth and age five.

Suggested Citation

  • George Wehby & Robert Kaestner & Wei Lyu & Dhaval M. Dave, 2020. "Effects of the Minimum Wage on Child Health," NBER Working Papers 26691, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:26691
    Note: CH DEV EH LS PE
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    Cited by:

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    2. Slopen, Meredith, 2023. "The impact of paid sick leave mandates on women's health," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 323(C).
    3. Leigh, J. Paul, 2021. "Treatment design, health outcomes, and demographic categories in the literature on minimum wages and health," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 43(C).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I1 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy
    • J20 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - General
    • J3 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs

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