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Intergenerational Persistence of Health: Evidence from India

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  • Kumar Gautam, Santosh

    (University of Notre Dame)

  • Nahlen, Bernard

    (University of Notre Dame)

Abstract

Using nationally representative data, we estimate intergenerational persistence in health in India. Results from the instrumental variable method show that children of anemic mothers are more likely to be anemic, with an intergenerational health correlation of 0.26. Results are robust to the inclusion of confounding factors including the mother's height. We find that the correlation between mothers' anemic status and children's anemic status differs by wealth quintile, indicating that economic status may play a role in the persistence of poor health across generations in developing countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Kumar Gautam, Santosh & Nahlen, Bernard, 2023. "Intergenerational Persistence of Health: Evidence from India," IZA Discussion Papers 15938, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp15938
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mehtabul Azam, 2015. "Intergenerational Occupational Mobility among Men in India," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 51(10), pages 1389-1408, October.
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    5. Douglas Almond & Janet Currie & Valentina Duque, 2018. "Childhood Circumstances and Adult Outcomes: Act II," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 56(4), pages 1360-1446, December.
    6. Janet Currie & Enrico Moretti, 2007. "Biology as Destiny? Short- and Long-Run Determinants of Intergenerational Transmission of Birth Weight," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 25(2), pages 231-264.
    7. Akbulut-Yuksel, Mevlude & Kugler, Adriana D., 2016. "Intergenerational persistence of health: Do immigrants get healthier as they remain in the U.S. for more generations?," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 23(C), pages 136-148.
    8. Kugler, Adriana D. & Akbulut-Yuksel, Mevlude, 2016. "Intergenerational Persistence of Health in the U.S.: Do Immigrants Get Healthier as they Assimilate?," CEPR Discussion Papers 11100, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    9. Jane Cooley Fruehwirth & Sriya Iyer & Anwen Zhang, 2019. "Religion and Depression in Adolescence," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 127(3), pages 1178-1209.
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    Cited by:

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    4. Dugord, Clara & Franc, Carine, 2025. "Intergenerational transmission of preventive health-seeking behaviors: Like mother, like daughter? The case of cancer screening in France," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 381(C).

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    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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