Early-Life Economic Conditions and Old-Age Male Mortality: Evidence from Historical County-Level Bank Deposit Data

Area of Science:

• Economics
• Public Health
• Demography

Background:

• Economic conditions during early life can have lasting effects on health outcomes.
• The Great Depression provides a unique historical context to study these long-term impacts.
• Granular, local-level economic data is crucial for understanding health determinants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the long-run mortality effects of in-utero and early-life economic conditions.
• To assess the influence of local economic conditions during the Great Depression on old-age longevity.
• To determine the impact of county-level economic measures on mortality.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing county-level banking deposit data as a proxy for local economic conditions.
• Analyzing economic conditions experienced during the in-utero and first years of life.
• Comparing state-level versus county-level economic measures to control for confounders.

Main Results:

• A one-standard-deviation increase in per capita bank deposits was associated with a 1.7-month increase in male longevity.
• Local economic conditions during early life show a significant association with later-life mortality.
• County-level analysis revealed the importance of granular economic data.

Conclusions:

• In-utero and early-life economic conditions have demonstrable long-run effects on mortality.
• Local economic prosperity during formative years is linked to increased longevity.
• Granular data analysis is essential for accurately assessing the impact of early-life economic factors on health outcomes.