Barbara L. Wolfe - Ties Between Health Policy, Early Life Health Problems and Lifetime Earnings
Melbourne Institute Seminar Room
Room 6.05, FBE Building
111 Barry St, Carlton
Title: Ties Between Health Policy, Early Life Health Problems and Lifetime Earnings
Abstract: We investigate which of three dimensions of early-life health influence an individual’s labor market outcomes over the entire life cycle in thirteen European countries using SHARE data. Our earnings results show childhood mental health problems and poor general health decrease lifetime earnings significantly and matter more than childhood physical health problems. Our comparison by social insurance system suggests that the negative effects of early mental health problems and of early poor general health on earnings are greater in less egalitarian systems. Given the very large negative effects of early mental health problems and poor general health on earnings, the results suggest the potential importance of health care systems offering depth and breadth of coverage to children.
Presenter: Barbara L. Wolfe, University of Wisconsin-Madison