Parental Illness Shocks and Child Health in Bangladesh

Md Shahadath Hossain and Shaila Nazneen

Journal of Development Studies, 2025, vol. 61, issue 3, 442-458

Abstract: This study examines the impact of parental illness on child health in rural Bangladesh. Using a set of health conditions that are as good as random, we find that parental illness has a significant negative effect on child height. Both Fathers’ and mothers’ illnesses exhibit equally detrimental effects. Exploring potential mechanisms, we find that parental illness induces financial distress, characterized by increased medical spending, diminished assets, and increased borrowing. Consequently, parents respond by substantially reducing resource allocation, manifested through decreased food intake and protein consumption. The findings of this study carry important policy implications, as mitigating the effects of parental illness could close 3.5% of the height gap between Bangladeshi children and the global average.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1080/00220388.2024.2413079

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