Effect of Stress on Later‐Life Health: Evidence from the Vietnam War Draft. (10th August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Grossman, Daniel; Cawley, John; de Walque, Damien
• Is Part Of: Southern economic journal. Volume 85:Number 1(2018)
• Page Start: 142
• Page End: 165
• Publication Date: 2018-08-10
• Subjects: I12 -- I18 -- I31; Southern States -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; Economics -- Periodicals; Economic history; Economics; Southern States; Periodicals; 330.975005
• DOI: 10.1002/soej.12297
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0038-4038

Abstract

Abstract : This article contributes to the literature examining how stress during the early stages of life impacts later‐life health using a novel proxy for stress: risk of military induction during the Vietnam War. The article estimates that an increase in induction risk in young adulthood is associated with higher rates of obesity, endocrine disease, and hypertension later in life. These findings do not appear to be cohort effects; these associations exist only for men who did not serve in the war, not for same‐aged women. These results suggest stress experienced during early adulthood can have adverse health consequences later in life.