Short-term effects of the earned income tax credit on children's physical and mental health.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Child poverty is associated with worsened health, although there is limited research on whether U.S. poverty alleviation policies improve children's health. We examined the short-term effects of the earned income tax credit (EITC), among the largest U.S. poverty alleviation programs, on children's food insecurity, weight status, and mental health.

Methods

Using data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS, 1998-2016), we examined the effects of the EITC using a quasi-experimental difference-in-differences methodology. About 90% of EITC-eligible individuals receive tax refunds in February-April, while NHIS interviews occur throughout the year. We took advantage of this timing of refund receipt to compare EITC-eligible families interviewed in February-April wit

SUBMITTER: Batra A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11488659 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature