Journal Article The Long-Term Effects of Childhood Exposure to the Earned Income Tax Credit on Health Outcomes
Breno Braga, Fredric Blavin, Anuj Gangopadhyaya
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The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a central component of the U.S. safety net, benefiting about 25 million families. Using variation in the federal and state EITC, this paper evaluates the long-term impact of EITC exposure during childhood on the health of young adults. We find that an additional $100, or a 3% increase, in the average annual EITC exposure between birth and age 18 increases the likelihood of reporting very good or excellent health by 2.6% and decreases the likelihood of being obese by 4.1% between ages 22 and 27. The effects of EITC exposure are stronger for children raised in a single-parent household and for children with lower-educated parents.

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https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0047272720301134?dgcid=author

Research Areas Health and health care Children and youth Families Social safety net
Tags Social determinants of health Earned income tax credit Health outcomes
Policy Centers Center on Labor, Human Services, and Population Health Policy Center