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Back to school: The effect of school visits during COVID-19 on COVID-19 outcomes

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  • Bravata, Dena
  • Cantor, Jonathan
  • Sood, Neeraj
  • Whaley, Christopher

Abstract

The effects of school closures on COVID-19 transmission remain unclear, even after the conclusion of the national Public Health Emergency. We use healthcare claims data from 130 million household-week observations linked to smartphone mobility data to measure the effects of changes in county-level visits to schools on COVID-19 outcomes. We use a triple-differences approach that leverages within-county differences in exposure between families with and without school-age children and find modest impacts. We find increases in COVID-19 infection rates, with larger differences in low-income and higher COVID-19 prevalence counties.

Suggested Citation

  • Bravata, Dena & Cantor, Jonathan & Sood, Neeraj & Whaley, Christopher, 2025. "Back to school: The effect of school visits during COVID-19 on COVID-19 outcomes," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jhecon:v:102:y:2025:i:c:s0167629625000608
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2025.103025
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