RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Intergenerational Transmission of Maternal Health
JF Journal of Human Resources
JO J Hum Resour
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 1425
OP 1465
DO 10.3368/jhr.58.1.0819-10372R2
VO 57
IS 5
A1 Bevis, Leah E.M.
A1 Villa, Kira
YR 2022
UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/57/5/1425.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.