When It Rains It Pours: The Long-Run Economic Impacts of Salt Iodization in the United States

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Adhvaryu, Achyuta; Bednar, Steven; Molina, Teresa; Nguyen, Quynh; Nyshadham, Anant
• 署名单位: University of Michigan System; University of Michigan; National Bureau of Economic Research; Elon University; University of Hawaii System; University of Hawaii Manoa; The World Bank; Boston College
• 刊物名称: REVIEW OF ECONOMICS AND STATISTICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0034-6535
• DOI: 10.1162/rest_a_00822
• 发表日期: 2020-05
• 页码: 395-407
• 关键词: world-war-ii; iodine deficiency; endemic goiter; prevention; eradication; HEALTH; brain; POWER; pill; rise

摘要

In 1924, the Morton Salt Company began nationwide distribution of iodine-fortified salt. Access to iodine, a key determinant of cognitive ability, rose sharply. We compare outcomes for cohorts exposed in utero with those of slightly older, unexposed cohorts, across states with high versus low baseline iodine deficiency. Income increased by 11%, labor force participation rose 0.68 percentage points, and full-time work went up 0.9 percentage points due to increased iodine availability. These impacts were largely driven by changes in the economic outcomes of young women. In later adulthood, both men and women had higher family incomes due to iodization.