Disease and Human Capital Accumulation: Evidence from the Roll Back Malaria Partnership in Africa

Abstract

Abstract We estimate the effects of a large-scale antimalaria campaign on a rich set of human capital outcomes in 27 sub-Saharan African countries. Using pre-campaign malaria risk as treatment probability, we exploit quasi-experimental variation in period and cohort exposure to antimalaria campaigns. A conservative interpretation of our results shows a globally positive impact of antimalaria campaigns: they reduced the probability of infant mortality (1 p.p.) and birth (0.4 p.p.) and increased educational attainment (0.4 years) and the likelihood of adult paid employment (6 p.p.). These findings demonstrate how the effects of sweeping disease reduction efforts extend beyond health outcomes.