Early-life Health and Lifetime Outcomes : Evidence from the Large-scale Schistosomiasis Eradication in China

Schistosomiasis is one of the most prevalent parasitic diseases in the world. This study uses a large-scale deworming program targeted to schistosomiasis in China to identify the long-term impacts of early-life health on adult outcomes. We find that disease interventions led to increases in educational attainment and female fertility. The effects on targets with a low initial educational level focus on basic education, while targets with a high initial level experience educational development at a higher level. We also document that childhood schistosomiasis infection decreased adult income and consumption, explained by the negative disease impact on adult cognitive abilities, education, and employment status. The gender heterogeneity in education and earnings is consistent with the theoretical model