EFFECTS OF THE MINIMUM WAGE ON CHILD HEALTH

Abstract

Effects of the minimum wage on labor market outcomes have been extensively debated and analyzed. Less studied, however, are other consequences of the minimum wage that stem from changes in a household’s income and labor supply. We examine effects of the minimum wage on child health. To obtain estimates, we use data from the National Survey of Children’s Health and a difference-in-differences design. We find that an increase in the minimum wage throughout childhood is associated with improvement in child health. Much of the benefit of a higher minimum wage is associated with the period between birth and age 5.