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Can universal pre-kindergarten programs improve population health and longevity? Mechanisms, evidence, and policy implications

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  • Muennig, Peter

Abstract

Recent research has found that children who attended pre-kindergarten programs in childhood were more likely to be healthy as adults. One intuitive way of improving population health and longevity may therefore be to invest in pre-kindergarten programs. However, much of the research linking pre-kindergarten programs to health is very recent and has not been synthesized. In this paper, I review the mechanisms linking pre-kindergarten programs in childhood to adult longevity, and the experimental evidence backing up these linkages. I conclude with a critical exploration of whether investments in pre-kindergarten programs could also serve as investments in public health.

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  • Muennig, Peter, 2015. "Can universal pre-kindergarten programs improve population health and longevity? Mechanisms, evidence, and policy implications," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 116-123.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:127:y:2015:i:c:p:116-123
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2014.08.033
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    Cited by:

    1. Abrahamsen, Signe A. & Ginja, Rita & Riise, Julie, 2021. "School Health Programs: Education, Health, and Welfare Dependency of Young Adults," IZA Discussion Papers 14546, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Hong, Kai & Dragan, Kacie & Glied, Sherry, 2019. "Seeing and hearing: The impacts of New York City’s universal pre-kindergarten program on the health of low-income children," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 93-107.
    3. Cohen, Nevin & Ilieva, Rositsa T., 2021. "Expanding the boundaries of food policy: The turn to equity in New York City," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    4. Amy Ehntholt & Daniel M. Cook & Natalie A. Rosenquist & Peter Muennig & Roman Pabayo, 2020. "State- and county-level income inequality and infant mortality in the USA in 2010: a cohort study," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 65(6), pages 769-780, July.
    5. Amy Ehntholt & Daniel M. Cook & Natalie A. Rosenquist & Peter Muennig & Roman Pabayo, 0. "State- and county-level income inequality and infant mortality in the USA in 2010: a cohort study," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 0, pages 1-12.

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