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Multigenerational Effects of Early Life Health Shocks

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  • C. Justin Cook
  • Jason M. Fletcher
  • Angela Forgues

Abstract

A large literature has documented links between harmful early life exposures and later life health and socioeconomic deficits. These studies, however, are typically unable to examine the possibility that these shocks are transmitted to the next generation. Our study traces the impacts of in utero exposure to the 1918 influenza pandemic on the outcomes of the children and grandchildren of those affected using representative survey data from the US. We find evidence of multigenerational effects on educational, economic, and health outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • C. Justin Cook & Jason M. Fletcher & Angela Forgues, 2018. "Multigenerational Effects of Early Life Health Shocks," NBER Working Papers 25377, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
  • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:25377
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    Cited by:

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    2. Sari, Emre & Moilanen, Mikko & Sommerseth, Hilde Leikny, 2021. "Transgenerational health effects of in utero exposure to economic hardship: Evidence from preindustrial Southern Norway," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 43(C).
    3. Lazuka, Volha & Sandholt Jensen, Peter, 2021. "Multigenerational Effects of Smallpox Vaccination," Lund Papers in Economic History 232, Lund University, Department of Economic History.
    4. Arthi, Vellore & Parman, John, 2021. "Disease, downturns, and wellbeing: Economic history and the long-run impacts of COVID-19," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    5. Ilan Noy & Tomáš Uher, 2022. "Economic consequences of pre-COVID-19 epidemics: a literature review," Chapters, in: Mark Skidmore (ed.), Handbook on the Economics of Disasters, chapter 7, pages 117-133, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    6. Fletcher, Jason M., 2018. "The effects of in utero exposure to the 1918 influenza pandemic on family formation," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 59-68.
    7. Wang, Xiaolu & Chen, Qihui & Zhu, Chen, 2022. "How Individual’s Early Hunger Experience Impacts Their Future Socioeconomic Status: Evidence from China," 2022 Annual Meeting, July 31-August 2, Anaheim, California 322129, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    8. Stefanie Mollborn & Aubrey Limburg & Bethany G. Everett, 2022. "Mothers’ Sexual Identity and Children’s Health," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 41(3), pages 1217-1239, June.
    9. Sam Schoenmakers & E. J. (Joanne) Verweij & Roseriet Beijers & Hilmar H. Bijma & Jasper V. Been & Régine P. M. Steegers-Theunissen & Marion P. G. Koopmans & Irwin K. M. Reiss & Eric A. P. Steegers, 2022. "The Impact of Maternal Prenatal Stress Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic during the First 1000 Days: A Historical Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-23, April.
    10. Jason M. Fletcher, 2019. "Environmental bottlenecks in children’s genetic potential for adult socio-economic attainments: Evidence from a health shock," Population Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 73(1), pages 139-148, January.
    11. Wang Sonne,Soazic Elise & Verme,Paolo, 2019. "Intergenerational Impact of Population Shocks on Children's Health : Evidence from the 1993-2001 Refugee Crisis in Tanzania," Policy Research Working Paper Series 9075, The World Bank.
    12. Dora Costa, 2022. "Overweight Grandsons and Grandfathers' Starvation Exposure," NBER Working Papers 30599, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    13. Lee, Ines, 2024. "Co-benefits from health and health systems to education," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
    14. Basco, Sergi & Domènech, Jordi & Rosés, Joan R., 2024. "Socioeconomic mortality differences during the Great Influenza in Spain," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 52(C).
    15. Amanda Guimbeau & Nidhiya Menon & Aldo Musacchio, 2020. "The Brazilian Bombshell? The Long-Term Impact of the 1918 Influenza Pandemic the South American Way," NBER Working Papers 26929, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    16. Ilan Noy & Tomáš Uher, 2022. "Economic consequences of pre-COVID-19 epidemics: a literature review," Chapters, in: Mark Skidmore (ed.), Handbook on the Economics of Disasters, chapter 7, pages 117-133, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    17. Norling, Johannes, 2020. "Education and employment following apartheid protests," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    18. Noghanibehambari, Hamid & Engelman, Michal, 2022. "Social insurance programs and later-life mortality: Evidence from new deal relief spending," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
    19. Costa, Dora L., 2023. "Overweight grandsons and grandfathers’ starvation exposure," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).

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    JEL classification:

    • I1 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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