Health and Economic Activity Over the Lifecycle: Literature Review

128 Pages Posted: 1 Aug 2018 Last revised: 11 Jun 2023

See all articles by Daniel Prinz

Daniel Prinz

Harvard University

Michael Chernew

Harvard University - Department of Health Care Policy; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

David M. Cutler

Harvard University - Department of Economics; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER); Harvard University - Harvard Kennedy School (HKS)

Austin Frakt

Government of the United States of America - Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); Boston University - School of Medicine; Boston University - School of Public Health

Date Written: July 2018

Abstract

We systematically review the literature linking health to economic activity, particularly education and labor market outcomes, over the lifecycle. In the first part, we review studies that link childhood health to later-life outcomes. The main themes we focus on are in-utero exposures, birthweight, physical health and nutrition, mental health, and the environment. In the second part, we review studies of the impact of health on labor market success for adults. The main themes we focus on are the environment, disability, physical health shocks, within-household spillovers, cancer, and mental health.

Suggested Citation

Prinz, Daniel and Chernew, Michael E. and Cutler, David M. and Frakt, Austin, Health and Economic Activity Over the Lifecycle: Literature Review (July 2018). NBER Working Paper No. w24865, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3222412

Daniel Prinz (Contact Author)

Harvard University ( email )

Michael E. Chernew

Harvard University - Department of Health Care Policy ( email )

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National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

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David M. Cutler

Harvard University - Department of Economics ( email )

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National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) ( email )

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Harvard University - Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) ( email )

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Austin Frakt

Government of the United States of America - Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

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Boston University - School of Medicine ( email )

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Boston University - School of Public Health ( email )

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