2019/01/15 by Krzysztof Karbownik, Anthony Wray
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Health Professions · #Agricultural risk and resilience #Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations #Global Health Care Issues
paper · doi:10.1086/702652
openalex publication_date 2019/01/15 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
We explore whether fetal and postnatal exposure to tropical cyclones affects education and income in adulthood by using World War I draft records linked to census data. Difference-in-differences estimates indicate that white males born in hurricane-prone US states who experienced a hurricane in utero or as infants had 5% lower income. Labor force participation was unaffected, while education and migration account for a small portion of the effects on income. Empirical tests suggest the persistent impact of damage is an unlikely channel. Thus, we attribute the findings to lower health capital stemming from temporary disruption in the aftermath of storms.