Education and Health: Evaluating Theories and Evidence

39 Pages Posted: 14 Jul 2006 Last revised: 2 Jan 2023

See all articles by David M. Cutler

David M. Cutler

Harvard University - Department of Economics; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER); Harvard University - Harvard Kennedy School (HKS)

Adriana Lleras-Muney

Princeton University - Princeton School of Public and International Affairs; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Date Written: July 2006

Abstract

There is a large and persistent association between education and health. In this paper, we review what is known about this link. We first document the facts about the relationship between education and health. The education 'gradient' is found for both health behaviors and health status, though the former does not fully explain the latter. The effect of education increases with increasing years of education, with no evidence of a sheepskin effect. Nor are there differences between blacks and whites, or men and women. Gradients in behavior are biggest at young ages, and decline after age 50 or 60. We then consider differing reasons why education might be related to health. The obvious economic explanations - education is related to income or occupational choice - explain only a part of the education effect. We suggest that increasing levels of education lead to different thinking and decision-making patterns. The monetary value of the return to education in terms of health is perhaps half of the return to education on earnings, so policies that impact educational attainment could have a large effect on population health.

Suggested Citation

Cutler, David M. and Lleras-Muney, Adriana, Education and Health: Evaluating Theories and Evidence (July 2006). NBER Working Paper No. w12352, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=913315

David M. Cutler (Contact Author)

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Adriana Lleras-Muney

Princeton University - Princeton School of Public and International Affairs ( email )

Princeton University
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National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

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