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Preschool education and infant health of the next generation: evidence from an expansion of public child care provision

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  • Juanita Bloomfield

    (Universidad de Montevideo)

Abstract

This study estimates the impact of an expansion of public preschool education on health at birth of the next generation. The identification strategy uses a construction program of preschool facilities implemented in Uruguay by the mid-90s. I exploit variation across regions and over time in the number of facilities built. I find that extreme prematurity improves for first-born children of mothers that were exposed to the reform. When exploring potential mechanisms, I find suggestive evidence that exposed mothers have more preventive care during pregnancy and are more likely to live with the father of the child.

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  • Juanita Bloomfield, 2025. "Preschool education and infant health of the next generation: evidence from an expansion of public child care provision," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 68(4), pages 1973-2007, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:empeco:v:68:y:2025:i:4:d:10.1007_s00181-024-02679-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s00181-024-02679-9
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth

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