Long-Run Impacts of Childhood Access to the Safety Net
American Economic Review
vol. 106,
no. 4, April 2016
(pp. 903-34)
Abstract
We examine the impact of a positive and policy-driven change in economic resources available in utero and during childhood. We focus on the introduction of the Food Stamp Program, which was rolled out across counties between 1961 and 1975. We use the Panel Study of Income Dynamics to assemble unique data linking family background and county of residence in early childhood to adult health and economic outcomes. Our findings indicate access to food stamps in childhood leads to a significant reduction in the incidence of metabolic syndrome and, for women, an increase in economic self-sufficiency. (JEL I12, I38, J24)Citation
Hoynes, Hilary, Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach, and Douglas Almond. 2016. "Long-Run Impacts of Childhood Access to the Safety Net." American Economic Review, 106 (4): 903-34. DOI: 10.1257/aer.20130375Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- I12 Health Behavior
- I38 Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty: Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
- J24 Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity