Abstract
This paper explores whether — and the degree to which — Black-White health disparities can be accounted for by educational attainment gaps. Part I reviews evidence on the causal effects of educational policies on health behaviors and outcomes. Many of these policies have demonstrated significant long-term health benefits, particularly for disadvantaged populations, though the effects are heterogeneous. Part II discusses whether the health benefits of education vary by race, reviewing theories of structural inequalities that posit that minorities benefit less from education. Part III analyzes data from the National Health Interview Survey to quantify the educational gradient in health across racial groups. We find that the health returns to education are not uniformly lower for Blacks compared to Whites. Our findings emphasize the importance of addressing educational disparities to improve health equity.
Key Take Away Points
- Educational interventions have demonstrated that early childhood and K-12 education can significantly improve long-term health outcomes, especially for disadvantaged populations.
- Race interacts with education in complex ways affecting both racial gaps in educational attainment and the health returns to education.
- Health returns to education are not uniformly lower for Blacks compared to Whites. Educational policy should focus on increasing educational attainment for racial minorities.
Author Biography
Johnny Huynh is an Assistant Professor at The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice at the Geisel School of Medicine. His research uses causal inference methods to investigate the causes and consequences of disparities in health and human capital. Adriana Lleras-Muney is a Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Her research examines the relationships between socioeconomic status and health, with a particular focus on education, income, and policy.
Recommended Citation
J Huynh, A Lleras-Muney. (2025) "Racial Health Disparities and the Role of Education," Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk: Vol. 14: Iss. 2, Article 8.DOI: https://doi.org/10.58464/2155-5834.1550
Available at: https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/childrenatrisk/vol14/iss2/8
