The effect of an early education program on adult health: The Carolina abecedarian project randomized controlled trial

P. Muennig, D. Robertson, G. Johnson, F. Campbell, E.P. Pungello and Matthew Neidell

American Journal of Public Health, 2011, vol. 101, issue 3, 512-516

Abstract: Methods. ABC randomized 111 infants to receive an intensive early education program or nutritional supplements and parental counseling alone; participants have been followed to the present day. We examined the effect of ABC on health outcomes and behavioral risk factors when participants were aged 21 years, and then explored the mediators of this relationship. Results. Relative to the control group, the ABC treatment group was previously found to have improved cognition and educational attainment. We found that the intervention also improved heath (P=.05) and health behaviors (P=.03) when participants were aged 21 years. These improvements in behaviors were not mediated by IQ, math and reading scores at 15 years of age, educational attainment, or health insurance. Conclusions. Effective early education programs may improve health and reduce risky health behaviors in adulthood.

Date: 2011
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2010.200063_8

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2010.200063

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