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Germs in the Family: The Short- and Long-Term Consequences of Intrahousehold Disease Spread

Author

Listed:
  • N. Meltem Daysal
  • Hui Ding
  • Maya Rossin-Slater
  • Hannes Schwandt

Abstract

Preschool-aged children get sick frequently and spread disease to other family members. Despite the universality of this experience, there is limited causal evidence on the magnitudes and consequences of these externalities, especially for infant siblings with developing immune systems and brains. We show in Danish administrative data that during infancy, younger siblings have two to three times higher hospitalization rates for respiratory conditions than older siblings. We combine birth order and within-municipality variation in respiratory disease prevalence among young children, finding lasting differential impacts of early-life respiratory disease exposure on younger siblings' earnings, educational attainment, chronic respiratory health, and mental health-related outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • N. Meltem Daysal & Hui Ding & Maya Rossin-Slater & Hannes Schwandt, 2026. "Germs in the Family: The Short- and Long-Term Consequences of Intrahousehold Disease Spread," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 116(7), pages 2643-2684, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aecrev:v:116:y:2026:i:7:p:2643-84
    DOI: 10.1257/aer.20231521
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D13 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Production and Intrahouse Allocation
    • D62 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Externalities
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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