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Early-life disease exposure and occupational status: The impact of yellow fever during the 19th century

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  • Saavedra, Martin

Abstract

Using city-of-birth data from the 100% sample of the 1880 Census merged to city-level fatality counts, I estimate the relationship between early-life yellow fever exposure and adult occupational status. I find that white males with immigrant mothers were less likely to become professionals and more likely to become unskilled laborers or report occupational nonresponse if they were born during yellow fever epidemics. They also reported occupations with lower 1900 occupational income scores. The children of U.S.-born mothers (who were less susceptible to the disease) were relatively unaffected. Furthermore, I find no evidence that epidemics 3 to 4 years after birth affect adult occupational status, and the results are robust to controlling for local trade during an individual's birth year.

Suggested Citation

  • Saavedra, Martin, 2017. "Early-life disease exposure and occupational status: The impact of yellow fever during the 19th century," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 62-81.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:exehis:v:64:y:2017:i:c:p:62-81
    DOI: 10.1016/j.eeh.2017.01.003
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Fetal origins; Early childhood; Yellow fever; Occupation; Urban mortality penalty;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • N31 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - U.S.; Canada: Pre-1913
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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