RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Ironing Out Deficiencies: Evidence from the United States on the Economic Effects of Iron Deficiency
JF Journal of Human Resources
JO J Hum Resour
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 910
OP 958
DO 10.3368/jhr.50.4.910
VO 50
IS 4
A1 Gregory T. Niemesh
YR 2015
UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/50/4/910.abstract
AB Iron deficiency reduces productive capacity in adults and impairs cognitive development in children. In 1943, the United States government required the fortification of bread with iron to reduce iron deficiency in the working-age population during World War II. This nationwide fortification of grain products increased per capita consumption of iron by 16 percent. I find that areas with lower levels of iron consumption prior to the mandate experienced greater increases in income and school enrollment in the 1940s. A long-term followup suggests that adults in 1970 with more exposure to fortification during childhood earned higher wages.