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The Effects of Two Influential Early Childhood Interventions on Health and Healthy Behaviors

Author

Listed:
  • Gabriella Conti
  • James J. Heckman
  • Rodrigo Pinto

Abstract

This paper examines the long-term impacts on health and healthy behaviors of two of the oldest and most widely cited U.S. early childhood interventions evaluated by the method of randomization with long-term follow-up: the Perry Preschool Project (PPP) and the Carolina Abecedarian Project (ABC). There are pronounced gender effects strongly favoring boys, although there are also effects for girls. Dynamic mediation analyses show a significant role played by improved childhood traits, above and beyond the effects of experimentally enhanced adult socioeconomic status. These results show the potential of early life interventions for promoting health.

Suggested Citation

  • Gabriella Conti & James J. Heckman & Rodrigo Pinto, 2015. "The Effects of Two Influential Early Childhood Interventions on Health and Healthy Behaviors," NBER Working Papers 21454, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:21454
    Note: CH HC HE LS
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Douglas Almond & Janet Currie & Valentina Duque, 2017. "Childhood Circumstances and Adult Outcomes: Act II," NBER Working Papers 23017, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. repec:eee:labeco:v:45:y:2017:i:c:p:59-78 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. repec:eee:ecoedu:v:65:y:2018:i:c:p:107-125 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. repec:eee:socmed:v:212:y:2018:i:c:p:168-178 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. repec:aea:aejapp:v:10:y:2018:i:3:p:315-44 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Ryan, Chris & Zhu, Anna, 2016. "Sibling Health, Schooling and Longer-Term Developmental Outcomes," IZA Discussion Papers 10253, Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA).
    7. David Autor & David Figlio & Krzysztof Karbownik & Jeffrey Roth & Melanie Wasserman, 2016. "School Quality and the Gender Gap in Educational Achievement," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 106(5), pages 289-295, May.
    8. Emilia Del Bono & Marco Francesconi & Yvonne Kelly & Amanda Sacker, 2016. "Early Maternal Time Investment and Early Child Outcomes," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 126(596), pages 96-135, October.
    9. Boudreaux, Michel H. & Golberstein, Ezra & McAlpine, Donna D., 2016. "The long-term impacts of Medicaid exposure in early childhood: Evidence from the program's origin," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 161-175.
    10. repec:ces:ifodic:v:15:y:2017:i:1:p:19307500 is not listed on IDEAS
    11. Achyuta Adhvaryu & Anant Nyshadham & Teresa Molina & Jorge Tamayo, 2018. "Helping Children Catch Up: Early Life Shocks and the PROGRESA Experiment," NBER Working Papers 24848, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    12. repec:cje:issued:v:51:y:2018:i:2:p:627-659 is not listed on IDEAS
    13. Timothy J. Bartik & Nathan Sotherland, 2015. "Migration and Housing Price Effects of Place-Based College Scholarships," Upjohn Working Papers and Journal Articles 15-245, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research.
    14. Michael J. Kottelenberg & Steven F. Lehrer, 2018. "Does Quebecs subsidized child care policy give boys and girls an equal start?," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 51(2), pages 627-659, May.
    15. Stephen B. Billings & Kevin T. Schnepel, 2018. "Life after Lead: Effects of Early Interventions for Children Exposed to Lead," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 10(3), pages 315-344, July.
    16. repec:eee:labeco:v:45:y:2017:i:c:p:40-58 is not listed on IDEAS
    17. Hernaes, Øystein & Markussen, Simen & Røed, Knut, 2016. "Television, Cognitive Ability, and High School Completion," IZA Discussion Papers 9645, Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA).
    18. Daniela Del Boca & Enrica Maria Martino & Daniela Piazzalunga, 2017. "Investments in Early Education and Child Outcomes: The Short and the Long Run," ifo DICE Report, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, vol. 15(1), pages 43-48, 04.
    19. Johan Fourie, 2016. "The long walk to economic freedom after apartheid, and the road ahead," Working Papers 11/2016, Stellenbosch University, Department of Economics.
    20. Orazio Attanasio & Richard Blundell & Gabriella Conti & Giacomo Mason, 2018. "Inequality in socioemotional skills: a cross-cohort comparison," Working Papers 2018-071, Human Capital and Economic Opportunity Working Group.
    21. Chris Ryan & Anna Zhu, 2015. "Sibling Health, Schooling and Longer-Term Developmental Outcomes," Melbourne Institute Working Paper Series wp2015n21, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C12 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Hypothesis Testing: General
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I13 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Insurance, Public and Private
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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