The impact of childhood sickness on adult socioeconomic outcomes: Evidence from late 19th century America

► Childhood illness and disabilities among white boys in 1880 affected socioeconomic outcomes 30-50 years later. ► These effects are especially pronounced among boys with a chronic disease. ► Our findings-based on 19th century U.S. data-have important implications for modern developing countries. ► Our findings are based on a strong family fixed-effect design and unique linked Census records from 1880 through 1930.