Daniel Grossman, West Virginia University - The Intergenerational Health Effects of Forced Displacement

Title: The Intergenerational Health Effects of Forced Displacement: Japanese American Incarceration during WWII

This paper is joint work with Umair Khalil (Deakin University) and Laura Panza (University of Melbourrne).

Abstract: We study the intergenerational health consequences of forced displacement and incarceration of Japanese Americans in the US during WWII. Incarcerated mothers had babies who were less healthy at birth. This decrease in health represents a shift in the entire birthweight distribution due to exposure to prison camps. Imprisoned individuals were less likely to have children with fathers of other ethnic groups but were more likely to receive prenatal care, invest in education, and participate in the labor market. While we find some positive human capital effects, overall we find a negative effect of incarceration on intergenerational health.

Presenter:  Daniel Grossman, West Virginia University

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