Higher education and health investments: Does more schooling affect preventive health care use?

Abstract

In this paper, we use regression analysis, sibling fixed effects, and matching estimators to examine the impact of education on preventive care. Using a large cohort of Wisconsin high school graduates that has been followed for nearly 50 years, we find that attending college is associated with an approximately 5-15 percent increase in the likelihood of using several types of preventive care. We also find that greater education may influence preventive care, partly through occupational channels and access to care. These findings suggest that increases in education have the potential to spill over onto long-term health choices. © 2009 by The University of Chicago.