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The transmission of health across 7 generations in China, 1789–1906

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  • Maystadt, Jean-François
  • Migali, Giuseppe

Abstract

We study the intergenerational transmission of health using registered data from China between 1789 and 1906. We first document the intergenerational correlations in lifespans, and we find much higher correlations for mothers, compared to fathers. We then compare children born from brother and twin fathers, and the intergenerational transmission from fathers becomes weaker and is likely to be mostly driven by genetic factors. On the contrary, our results suggest a strong role of women in affecting their children’s health outcomes across generations in developing countries.

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  • Maystadt, Jean-François & Migali, Giuseppe, 2021. "The transmission of health across 7 generations in China, 1789–1906," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jhecon:v:79:y:2021:i:c:s0167629621000783
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2021.102493
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Long-term health outcomes; Intergenerational correlations;

    JEL classification:

    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • I29 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Other
    • I3 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty

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