Working Paper: NBER ID: w24847
Authors: Achyuta Adhvaryu; Steven Bednar; Anant Nyshadham; Teresa Molina; Quynh Nguyen
Abstract: In 1924, The Morton Salt Company began nationwide distribution of iodine-fortified salt. Ac- cess to iodine, a key determinant of cognitive ability, rose sharply. We compare outcomes for cohorts exposed in utero with those of slightly older, unexposed cohorts, across states with high versus low baseline iodine deficiency. Income increased by 11%; labor force participation rose 0.68 percentage points; and full-time work went up 0.9 percentage points due to increased iodine availability. These impacts were largely driven by changes in the economic outcomes of young women. In later adulthood, both men and women had higher family incomes due to iodization.
Keywords: iodization; economic impact; cognitive ability; labor market outcomes
JEL Codes: I15; I18; J24; N32
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| exposure to iodized salt during gestation (I12) | total income (E25) |
| exposure to iodized salt during gestation (I12) | labor force participation (J22) |
| exposure to iodized salt during gestation (I12) | cognitive ability (G53) |
| cognitive ability (G53) | labor market outcomes (J48) |
| exposure to iodized salt during gestation (I12) | women's employment (J21) |
| exposure to iodized salt during gestation (I12) | family incomes in forties and fifties (E25) |
| iodine availability (L72) | economic outcomes (F61) |
| exposure to iodized salt during gestation (I12) | marriage timing (J12) |
| marriage timing (J12) | partner's education and income (I24) |