El Niño and Mexican children: medium-term effects of early-life weather shocks on cognitive and health outcomes (with Marta Vicarelli)

Abstract: Evidence has shown that shocks in early life have long-term consequences. This paper contributes to our understanding of the channels. Four years after being exposed to exogenous precipitation anomalies during early stages of life, we examine the effects on key developmental indicators. Children affected present lower cognitive development (measured through language, working and long-term memory and visual-spatial thinking) in the magnitude of 0:14 to 0:16 SDs. Lower height, weight and higher anxiety-depression impacts are also identified. Food consumption and diet composition appear to be key drivers behind these impacts. No mitigation from the delivery of conditional cash transfers is found.