Childhood health and future outcomes: Evidence from panel surveys for the Japanese population

Numerous studies in developed and developing countries around the world have found that childhood health is associated with future health and socioeconomic status. This paper uses nationally representative panel surveys to examine the impact of poor childhood health on the future socioeconomic outcomes of the Japanese population. I find that poor childhood health adversely affects various future health conditions for the middle and long run, and that the effects on subjective and physical health are amplified with age. In addition, poor childhood health negatively affects promotion opportunities in the mid-term and labor participation over the long-term. Moreover, I find that low parental income directly and negatively affects subjective and psychological health. The empirical results imply that public policy for continuous good health in childhood improves future socioeconomic outcomes.