1918 Influenza and Long-Term Health Effects

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of the paper by Van Kippersluis, O'Donnell, and Van Doorslaer?

To evaluate the effects of compulsory schooling laws on education levels.

To establish the causal impact of education on mortality in old age. (correct)

To assess the relationship between childhood education and adult income.

To analyze various educational frameworks in different countries.

Which statistical method is used in the analysis of the paper to estimate the impact of education on mortality?

Two Stage Least Squares (2SLS). (correct)

Discrete Running-variable Regression.

Simple linear regression.

Ordinary Least Squares (OLS).

What significant effect does an additional year of schooling have on the probability of dying before age 89 for men who survive to age 81?

Changes the baseline probability to zero.

Increases the probability by three percentage points.

Reduces the probability by almost three percentage points. (correct)

Has no measurable effect on mortality.

What does the term Local Average Treatment Effect (LATE) refer to in the context of this study?

The average effect of education for individuals in a specific cohort subject to the schooling reform. Signup and view all the answers

What significant assumption is necessary for the validity of the regression discontinuity design used in this study?

No sorting occurs around the threshold of the schooling reform. Signup and view all the answers

How do childhood health conditions affect health in middle adulthood?

They significantly influence health and socioeconomic status. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the uterine environment play as a health determinant?

It significantly impacts middle age health. Signup and view all the answers

What relationship exists between household income and children's health status?

Higher income is positively related to better health outcomes. Signup and view all the answers

How does a family's average long-run income impact children's health?

It is a powerful determinant that can protect children's health. Signup and view all the answers

According to the findings, what happens to the health of children from lower-income families as they age?

It erodes faster, leading to poorer health and socioeconomic status in adulthood. Signup and view all the answers

What was the focus of the study by Chay and Greenstone regarding air pollution?

The impact of air pollution on infant mortality. Signup and view all the answers

What methodological approach did Chay and Greenstone use in their research?

A quasi-experimental approach with site variations. Signup and view all the answers

What issue does the research by Chay and Greenstone aim to address regarding air pollution and health?

Omitted variables that could skew results. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary conclusion regarding early health and adult outcomes?

The impact of early health on adult outcomes is established very early in life. Signup and view all the answers

How did the study estimate the causal impact of education on health?

Using compulsory education laws as instruments for education. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key finding regarding poor infant health and mortality as mentioned in the study?

Poor infant health predicts mortality within one year and up to age 17. Signup and view all the answers

What does the research suggest about the relationship between education and mortality?

There is a causal relationship where education reduces mortality rates. Signup and view all the answers

What type of reform was evaluated in the study on childhood nutrition?

Policy-driven change in childhood nutrition through school lunches. Signup and view all the answers

Which socioeconomic factor was found to have no significant impact on mortality in the study?

Individuals of low socioeconomic status Signup and view all the answers

What did the research on prenatal exposure to undernutrition during the Dutch famine conclude?

Undernutrition impacts health based on its timing during gestation. Signup and view all the answers

How was the implementation of the school lunch program evaluated?

Using newly collected historical data on gradual implementation across municipalities. Signup and view all the answers

Which years marked the implementation of the free school lunch program in Sweden?

1959 to 1969 Signup and view all the answers

What outcomes are influenced by poor infant health according to the findings?

Mortality, educational, and labor force outcomes Signup and view all the answers

Which method was NOT used in the analysis of the consequences of poor infant health?

Sample of births from random years Signup and view all the answers

What group of individuals was specifically analyzed by Lleras-Muney in her study?

Individuals affected by compulsory schooling laws. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the primary outcomes assessed in Lundborg et al.'s study?

Children's economic, educational, and health outcomes throughout life. Signup and view all the answers

What does the study suggest regarding maternal malnutrition during gestation?

It permanently affects adult health. Signup and view all the answers

What type of model was used in the econometric approach of this research?

Cox proportional hazard model Signup and view all the answers

Which factor was NOT associated with the consequences of poor infant health according to the study?

Behavioral health issues Signup and view all the answers

What hypothesis does Almond's 2006 paper test using the 1918 influenza pandemic?

The fetal origins hypothesis Signup and view all the answers

Which method was used in the 2006 study to link birth characteristics to influenza exposure?

Census micro data to identify place and birth quarter Signup and view all the answers

According to Almond et al. (2005), what major factor is associated with low birth weight infants?

Maternal smoking during pregnancy Signup and view all the answers

What key limitation did Almond et al. (2005) acknowledge in their analysis of low birth weight?

Potential omitted variables Signup and view all the answers

What conclusion did Almond's 2006 study draw about the impact of prenatal exposure to the 1918 pandemic?

It caused significant negative effects on adult economic outcomes Signup and view all the answers

What approach did Almond et al. (2005) use to measure the impact of low birth weight on health costs?

Comparing hospital costs between twin pairs Signup and view all the answers

What significant implication does the 2006 study suggest about fetal health?

It can impact economic productivity in adulthood Signup and view all the answers

What factors did the 2006 study need to account for to confirm the impact of the pandemic on fetal health?

Omitted factors that followed similar patterns as the pandemic Signup and view all the answers

What method was used to exploit variations in education in the study of British compulsory schooling laws?

Regression discontinuity methods Signup and view all the answers

What was a key finding regarding the relationship between education and health outcomes in the British study?

The reforms did not affect health despite affecting educational attainment. Signup and view all the answers

According to the studies on Canadian children, which aspect of socioeconomic status relates most strongly to child health?

A combination of family income and maternal education Signup and view all the answers

What do the studies suggest regarding the long-term health effects of health shocks on children from different socioeconomic statuses?

Long-term health effects are similar for both high-SES and low-SES children. Signup and view all the answers

What was the major limitation noted in the educational interventions focused on increasing educational attainment among at-risk students?

They may not lead to significant health improvements. Signup and view all the answers

Which group's health outcomes were found to be affected more severely in the short run by health shocks according to the Canadian study?

Children from low-SES families Signup and view all the answers

In the context of traffic congestion and its effects, what type of population is primarily studied in the American Economic Journal article?

Infants and their health outcomes Signup and view all the answers

What factor tends to steepen the gradient observed between socioeconomic status and child health in the studies conducted?

Age of the child Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

1918 Influenza Pandemic and Long-Term Effects

This study used the 1918 influenza pandemic as a natural experiment to assess long-term effects of in utero exposure.
The study examined the hypothesis that prenatal undernutrition during pregnancy can lead to certain diseases in adulthood.
Census micro data were used to link birth locations and timing to influenza infection variations.
The study concluded that prenatal exposure to the 1918 influenza pandemic had negative impacts on adult economic outcomes.
The full impact of congenital health characteristics may not manifest immediately after birth.

Costs of Low Birth Weight

Low birth weight infants have significant long-term health and developmental challenges.
This study used a comparative approach analyzing hospital costs, infant health at birth, and mortality rates between twin pairs to evaluate these effects.
An important limitation of the analysis was the exclusion of other factors contributing to low birth weight.
The study's analysis focused primarily on birth outcomes and not long-term outcomes.
The findings of early infant health effects suggest that previous studies may have overestimated long-term impacts of birth weight on adult health outcomes.

The Impact of Doctors on Parents' Health

The study estimates the causal effect of having a child doctor on parents' mortality and healthcare use.
Data from parents of ~22,000 medical school applicants in the Netherlands was used.
The research found parents with a child doctor had lower mortality and healthcare costs.
The impact on longevity was not found, and the observed effect was not due to selection.

Does Schooling Reduce Hospitalization and Delay Mortality?

The study examined the relationship between schooling and health using Danish twins.
The study used data from the Danish twin registry coupled with population-based registries.
The research examined cross-sectional associations and causal impacts of schooling on hospitalization and mortality.
The study found no definitive causal impacts related to schooling and health outcomes.

The Effects of Birth Weight on Adult Outcomes

Lower birth weight babies face worse short and long-term outcomes.
By using a Norwegian dataset and twin techniques, the effects of birth weight on various outcomes were investigated.
Studies found that birth weight significantly influences various outcomes like height, IQ, income, and education.
The effects on short-term outcomes, like mortality rates, are smaller than those on long-term outcomes.

The Impact of Air Pollution on Infant Mortality

The study explored how the 1981-1982 recession, which impacted air pollution levels, affected infant mortality.
The study utilized variation in air quality across different sites as a quasi-natural experiment to estimate the impact of air pollution on infant mortality.
Results suggest that reduced air pollution resulted in a substantial decrease in infant mortality rates.
Most of the observed effects were related to deaths within one month of birth suggesting a fetal exposure effect.

The Roots of Health Inequality and the Value of Intrafamilial Expertise

The study focused on the association between in-family expertise and health in Sweden,
The research found causal impacts of having a medical doctor in the family on health investments, improving physical health, and extending lifespans.
Results suggests that the causal effect comes from the family members’ behavior rather than relying entirely on government for interventions.
Health inequality likely stems from demand-side factors such as lifestyle choices.

The Effect of Education on Mortality and Health

The study examines the causal relationship between education and health in Britain.
The research exploited policy changes in Britain to assess the causal relationship between education and health outcomes.
Results confirmed a strong positive correlation between educational attainment, mortality, and health in a variety of areas.
Results were not definitive on the direct causality between schooling and health/mortality.

Socioeconomic Status and Child Health

There's a positive relationship between socioeconomic status and health of children as they age.
Analyzing children from Canadian data, the relationship between these factors is observed to become stronger over time.
Health shock effects appear larger for low-SES children in the short-run.

Traffic Congestion and Infant Health

Reducing traffic congestion decreases the rates of infant prematurity and low birth weight.
Traffic congestion's negative impact on infant health is established using the introduction of E-ZPass in the US.

The Effects of Poor Neonatal Health on Children's Cognitive Development

Poor neonatal health has lasting effects on child’s cognitive development.
Using a Florida dataset from 1992-2002, this study analyzed the long-term effects of birth weight on later cognitive developments.

The Relationship Between Education and Adult Mortality

Education has a causal effect on mortality rates.
Compulsory education laws were used as instruments to determine the casual effect of education on health.
Results indicate an impact of education on reducing mortality.

Effects of Childhood Nutrition

The study used a Swedish primary school lunch program as a policy shift to assess the long-term effects of improved nutrition on children's health and development.
The school lunch program had substantial impacts on educational achievement and health. These effects were found to be larger for lower socioeconomic status individuals and pupils who received the program at younger ages.

The introduction of extended mandatory schooling in Sweden was used to assess potential effects on mortality.
Using Swedish data (1949-1962), and a difference-in-differences (DID) approach, no significant effects of the reform on mortality were observed.
Research was limited to mortality and did not cover other outcomes or subpopulations.

Short-, Medium-, and Long-Term Consequences of Poor Infant Health

Data from 1978-1985, examining siblings and twins, was used to analyze the long-term consequences of poor infant health.
Poor infant health predicts higher mortality risk early and later in life.
There's a significant linkage between infant health and subsequent educational and labor force outcomes.

The Effects of Prenatal Exposure to Dutch Famine

A review of the Dutch famine reveals that prenatal malnutrition during gestation can influence adult health.
This effect is not simply based on birth weight.
The findings highlight that the timing of exposure to malnutrition during gestation is crucial in determining its long-term impacts.

Long-Run Returns to Education

The effects of education on mortality in old age were studied using compulsory schooling laws in the Netherlands 1928.

The Impact of the Program on Children's Economic, Educational and Health Outcomes

Newly collected data spanning between 1959 and 1969 for municipalities in Sweden has been used to estimate the impact of a school lunch program on children's long-term educational, economic, and health outcomes.
Results show that the program positively affected lifetime incomes and had a significant impact on educational attainment.

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Description

This quiz explores the long-term impacts of the 1918 influenza pandemic on individuals exposed in utero. It examines the connection between prenatal undernutrition, low birth weight, and the subsequent adult health and economic outcomes. Challenge your knowledge on historical pandemics and their lasting effects on health.