Effects of early-life exposure to sanitation on childhood cognitive skills: Evidence from India's Total Sanitation Campaign

Authors

Dean Spears, Indian Statistical Institute (Delhi Centre)
Sneha Lamba, Oxford Policy Management Limited

Article Type

Research Article

Publication Title

Journal of Human Resources

Abstract

Early-life health shapes cognitive skills and human capital. In India, widespread open defecation without using a toilet is an important source of childhood disease. We study the effects on childhood cognitive achievement of early-life exposure to India's Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC), a large government program that encouraged local governments to build latrines and promote their use. We find that the TSC caused six-year-olds exposed to it in their first year of life to be more likely to recognize letters and simple numbers. Our results suggest that open defecation is an important threat to human capital in India.

First Page

298

Last Page

327

DOI

10.3368/jhr.51.2.0712-5051R1

Publication Date

1-1-2016

Comments

Open Access; Green Open Access

Recommended Citation

Spears, Dean and Lamba, Sneha, "Effects of early-life exposure to sanitation on childhood cognitive skills: Evidence from India's Total Sanitation Campaign" (2016). Journal Articles. 4181.
https://digitalcommons.isical.ac.in/journal-articles/4181