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The impact of Nepal's earthquake on the health status of rural children

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  • Khusiman Pun
  • Kira Villa
  • Matías Fontenla

Abstract

We study the impact of Nepal's 2015 earthquake on the health status of children aged 0–5 years. Using a difference‐in‐differences approach we find that the earthquake decreased height‐for‐age z‐scores (HAZ) and that this effect is largely driven by females, who experienced an average decline of −0.763 standard deviations in their HAZ. Further, we find that females in the 0–3 years age group and in the least wealthy households are the most vulnerable. This is particularly unfortunate, as the first 3 years of life can impact long‐term health and well‐being, and female undernutrition contributes to the intergenerational transmission of poverty and ill health.

Suggested Citation

  • Khusiman Pun & Kira Villa & Matías Fontenla, 2023. "The impact of Nepal's earthquake on the health status of rural children," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(2), pages 710-734, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:rdevec:v:27:y:2023:i:2:p:710-734
    DOI: 10.1111/rode.12957
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    References listed on IDEAS

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