Download This PaperNatural Disasters and Child Health
Thamarapani, D. (2020). "Natural Disasters and Child Health". Environment and Development Economics, 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1355770X20000182
46 Pages Posted: 3 Apr 2017 Last revised: 1 Jul 2020
Date Written: April 2, 2020
Abstract
With increasing number of natural disasters, understanding the links between these events and child health has become timely and pertinent. Using a panel dataset, this paper empirically investigates the persistent effects on child health due to exposure to a series of natural disasters that occurred from 2002 to 2007 in Indonesia. We find that girls exposed to multiple disaster events are 0.19 standard deviations shorter and are 7 percent more likely to be stunted when measured 7 to 12 years later. We find no persistent effect on boys. From a public policy perspective, we highlight the need for coping strategies beyond access to credit or remittances in order to mitigate growth retardation in children.
Keywords: Childhood Shocks; Stunting; Indonesia; Credit Availability
JEL Classification: I15, J13, J16, O53
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation