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  3. American Economic Review
  4. March 2006
  5. Economic Conditions Early in Life and Individual Mortality

Economic Conditions Early in Life and Individual Mortality

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Abstract

We analyze the effect of economic conditions early in life on individual mortality rate later in life, using business cycle conditions early in life as an exogenous indicator. Individual records from Dutch registers of birth, marriage, and death, covering a window of unprecedented size (1912-2000) are merged with historical data on macroeconomic and health indicators. We correct for secular changes over time and other mortality determinants. We nonparametrically compare those born in a recession to those born in the preceding boom, and we estimate duration models where the individual's mortality rate depends on current conditions, conditions early in life, age individual characteristics, including individual socio-economic indicators, and interaction terms. The results indicate a significant negative effect of economic conditions early in life on individual mortality rates at all ages.

Citation

van den Berg, Gerard, J., Maarten Lindeboom, and France Portrait. 2006. "Economic Conditions Early in Life and Individual Mortality." American Economic Review, 96 (1): 290-302. DOI: 10.1257/000282806776157740

Additional Materials

JEL Classification

  • I12 Health Production