Should Early Health Investments Work? Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial of a Complex Early-Childhood Intervention.

Evidence on the impact of early intervention on childhood health is inconsistent. Using a randomized controlled trial, we examine the impact of an Irish early intervention program on the development of health capital in the first five years of life. The treatment provides intensive parenting supports including home visits and parenting classes from pregnancy until school entry. Modest effects by age four are found, mainly driven by reduced hospital attendances attributed to improved earlier health. In sum, the program has limited effects on children's health capital in the short-run despite demonstrating large effects on other dimensions of human capital.