Peer-reviewed article
THE INTERGENERATIONAL EFFECTS OF THE NEW DEAL WORK RELIEF PROGRAMS ON LATE-LIFE OUTCOMES: AN 80-PLUS-YEAR FOLLOW-UP STUDY
Modrek S ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examines the long-term effects of 1930s-1940s American New Deal work programs on the health and mortality of children born during that era, followed into late life. Using historical data linkages, researchers tested whether children in households or communities that benefited from New Deal employment showed better health outcomes 80+ years later. The focus is on intergenerational policy effects rather than direct interventions for child well-being.
Key points
- Study links American Manufacturing Cohort workforce records backward to childhood census records from 1920-1940
- Examines association between parental New Deal program participation and children's late-life chronic disease, disability and mortality
- Tests effects for both children in benefitting households and those in non-benefit households in areas with high New Deal funding
- Employs novel data linkage methods to track intergenerational outcomes across 80+ years
Limitations
This study focuses on historical policy effects on adult outcomes rather than evaluating contemporary interventions for child well-being. The document provides only abstract-level information without presenting actual findings, outcomes, or effect sizes.
Abstract
Abstract Evidence from multiple disciplines suggests that early‐life conditions and environments affect outcomes across the life course. However, less is known about the effects of policy interventions targeted to adults and communities that may have intergenerational consequences on exposed children. In this study, we undertake novel data linkages to examine the effects of the New Deal work–relief programs on long-term health, disability and mortality outcomes of children born between 1920-1940. We first link the American Manufacturing Cohort (AMC) workforce backward to their childhood census records to capture parental and community exposure to New Deal work-relief programs. We then test the hypothesis that employment in New Deal work-relief programs is associated with lower levels of chronic disease, lower rates of disability and delayed mortality for both the children in benefitting households and children in non-benefit households living in areas that received greater amounts of New Deal funding.