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Heat Waves at Conception and Later Life Outcomes

Author

Listed:
  • Joshua Wilde

    (Department of Economics, University of South Florida)

  • Benedicte Apouey

    (Paris School of Economics -- CNRS)

  • Toni Jung

    (Department of Economics, University of California Davis)

Abstract

This paper explores whether heat waves at conception, while in utero, or after birth cause better educational and health outcomes as adults. Using Census and DHS data from sub-Saharan Africa, we show that individuals conceived during heat waves have higher educational attainment and literacy, fewer disabilities, and lower child mortality. However, we find no effect of temperature at other times in utero. We then explore several channels through which this effect may occur, including heat-induced changes in sexual behavior, differences in parental characteristics, and intensified fetal selection. We show that fetal selection is the most likely mechanism driving our result.

Suggested Citation

  • Joshua Wilde & Benedicte Apouey & Toni Jung, 2014. "Heat Waves at Conception and Later Life Outcomes," Working Papers 0514, University of South Florida, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:usf:wpaper:0514
    as

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    File URL: https://www.usf.edu/arts-sciences/departments/economics/documents/Wilde_Apouey_Jung_HeatWavesConception.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Cited by:

    1. Olukorede Abiona, 2017. "Adverse Effects of Early Life Extreme Precipitation Shocks on Short-term Health and Adulthood Welfare Outcomes," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 21(4), pages 1229-1254, November.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Temperature; Climate; Conception; Disability; Education; Fertility; Health; Human Capital; Literacy; Schooling; Sexual Activity; Spontaneous Abortion; Sub-Saharan Africa;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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