Does Higher Education Affect Health and Health Behaviors?: Evidence from a Regression Discontinuity Design

Abstract

This paper examines the causal effect of higher education on health related outcomes. To address the endogeneity in educational attainment, we exploit the educational reform in Korea which has increased the opportunity to engage in college education for affected cohorts. Using the regression discontinuity design, we do not find supportive evidence for health return of higher education. Moreover, we find that higher education has limited causal effects on health behaviors such as smoking and drinking. The limited effect might be a result of universal health care system in Korea which provides health insurance for practically all individuals.