Citation
Chen, Yi; Lei, Xiaoyan; & Zhou, Li-An (2010). Child Health and the Income Gradient Evidence from China. Bonn: IZA.Abstract
Though the positive income gradient of child health is well documented in developed countries, evidence from developing countries is rare. Few studies attempt to identify a causal link between family income and child health. Utilizing unique longitudinal data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey, we have found a positive, age-enhancing income gradient of child health, measured by height-for-age z scores. The gradient is robust to alternative specifications and a comprehensive set of controls. Using the fact that the rural tax reform implemented since 2000 created an exogenous variation in family income across regions and over time, we explore a causal explanation for the income gradient, and find that it has a very strong independent causal effect on child health.
URL
http://ftp.iza.org/dp5182.pdfhttp://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:iza:izadps:dp5182Reference Type
BookYear Published
2010Author(s)
Chen, YiLei, Xiaoyan
Zhou, Li-An