RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Intergenerational Transmission of Maternal Health: Evidence from Cebu, the Philippines
JF Journal of Human Resources
JO J Hum Resour
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP JHRv58n01_BevisVilla
DO 10.3368/jhr.58.1.0819-10372R2
A1 Bevis, Leah EM
A1 Villa, Kira
YR 2020
UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/early/2020/08/05/jhr.58.1.0819-10372R2.abstract
AB We examine the intergenerational transmission of mother-to-child health, using unique data tracking a cohort of Filipino children. We provide causal estimates of the impact of maternal health on child health, and examine the persistence of this relationship from birth through adolescence. We find that mother’s health continues to impact child health throughout childhood. Previous estimates gauging transmission at any single point during childhood therefore underestimate the full impact. The effect of mother’s health on child height-for-age z-score is only partly explained by birthweight, socioeconomic mechanisms or parental inputs; maternal health may additionally shape childhood growth trajectories until puberty.