This paper reviews recent developments in the economics of human development, focusing on the early years of life as a critical period for shaping long-term outcomes. Early childhood development is inherently multidimensional: cognitive and socioemotional skills evolve dynamically and interact...

We study the effects of state hospital regulations intended to increase breastfeeding by requiring certain care standards during the postpartum hospital stay. Policy adoption increased breastfeeding initiation by 3.3-4.1 percentage points (4.2-5.2 percent) and breastfeeding at 3 months...

Early childhood in developing countries faces a greater prevalence of risk factors and limited resources, underscoring the need for effective, scalable support models. We develop and experimentally evaluate a multi-component approach to enhance family well-being over-the-phone. The program...

Opioid use disorder (OUD) among pregnant women in the United States has risen more than fourfold since 1999, making substance use a leading cause of maternal mortality. Medicaid finances the majority of births and substance use disorder treatment in the U.S., yet until recently, coverage...

One in three births in the United States is delivered by cesarean section (c-section). This paper studies the labor market and health effects of c-sections, using newly linked administrative data that combines the universe of California birth records with mothers' quarterly earnings. We analyze...

Wie treffen Eltern Entscheidungen über frühkindliche Betreuung, und welche Rolle spielt dabei die soziale Herkunft? Dieses Buch beleuchtet die Mechanismen, die soziale Ungleichheiten in Betreuungsentscheidungen für Kinder unter drei Jahren prägen - ein Bereich, der sowohl für die Förderung...

Evidence shows transfer programs can improve early childhood development (ECD). However, knowledge gaps remain on how short-term impacts on ECD evolve as children grow older, how program design features and context affect child development impacts over time, and through what pathways such...

A century of plastic usage has led to an accumulation of plastic waste in waterways and oceans. Over time, these wastes break down into particles smaller than 5 microns - or "microplastics" - which can infiltrate human biological systems. Despite decades of research into this emerging source of...

Previous work using mostly self-reports shows large, positive effects of early-life exposure to Food Stamps on self-sufficiency, health, and well-being-lasting well into adulthood. We combine this same adoption timing with administrative data on earnings, employment, and use of disability...

In 2006 the Grameen Bank of Bangladesh won the Nobel Peace Prize for its innovative microfinancing operations. This path-breaking study of gender, grassroots globalization, and neoliberalism in Bangladesh looks critically at the Grameen Bank and three of the leading NGOs in the country. Amid...