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The Effects of Graduation Requirements on Risky Health Behaviors of High School Students

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  • Zhuang Hao

    (School of Economics and Management, Beihang University, and School of Economic Sciences, Washington State University)

  • Benjamin W. Cowan

    (School of Economic Sciences, Washington State University, and NBER)

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that years of formal schooling attained affects health behaviors, but little is known about how the stringency of academic programs affects such behaviors, especially among youth. Using national survey data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, we study the effects of mathematics and science high school graduation requirements (HSGR) on high school students’ risky health behaviors—specifically on drinking, smoking, and marijuana use. We find that an increase in mathematics and science HSGR has significant negative impacts on alcohol consumption among high school students, especially males and nonwhite students. The effects of math and science HSGR on smoking and marijuana use are also negative but generally less precisely estimated. Our results suggest that curriculum design may have potential as a policy tool to curb youth drinking.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhuang Hao & Benjamin W. Cowan, 2019. "The Effects of Graduation Requirements on Risky Health Behaviors of High School Students," American Journal of Health Economics, MIT Press, vol. 5(1), pages 97-125, Winter.
    • Handle: RePEc:tpr:amjhec:v:5:y:2019:i:1:p:97-125
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    Cited by:

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    3. Anderson, D. Mark & Matsuzawa, Kyutaro & Sabia, Joseph J., 2020. "Cigarette Taxes and Teen Marijuana Use," IZA Discussion Papers 12980, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    high school graduation requirements; health behaviors; youth;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I29 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Other

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