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  3. American Economic Journal: Applied Economics
  4. July 2018
  5. Life after Lead: Effects of Early Interventions for Children Exposed to Lead

Life after Lead: Effects of Early Interventions for Children Exposed to Lead

  • Stephen B. Billings
  • Kevin T. Schnepel
American Economic Journal: Applied Economics
vol. 10, no. 3, July 2018
(pp. 315-44)
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Abstract

Lead pollution is consistently linked to cognitive and behavioral impairments, yet little is known about the benefits of public health interventions for children exposed to lead. This paper estimates the long-term impacts of early-life interventions (e.g. lead remediation, nutritional assessment, medical evaluation, developmental surveillance, and public assistance referrals) recommended for lead-poisoned children. Using linked administrative data from Charlotte, NC, we compare outcomes for children who are similar across observable characteristics but differ in eligibility for intervention due to blood lead test results. We find that the negative outcomes previously associated with early-life exposure can largely be reversed by intervention.

Citation

Billings, Stephen B., and Kevin T. Schnepel. 2018. "Life after Lead: Effects of Early Interventions for Children Exposed to Lead." American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 10 (3): 315-44. DOI: 10.1257/app.20160056

Additional Materials

JEL Classification

  • I12 Health Behavior
  • I18 Health: Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
  • I21 Analysis of Education
  • J13 Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
  • J24 Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
  • Q51 Valuation of Environmental Effects
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