Economics & Finance / Economic Theory / Development Economics

Deworming Kids: A 32% ROI on Health? The Shocking Long-Term Impact Revealed

Worms at Work: Long-run Impacts of a Child Health Investment

Baird et al.

What if a simple, low-cost health intervention in childhood could boost adult earnings, reduce hunger, and even pay for itself through future taxes? A landmark study from Kenya tracked children for over a decade after a school deworming program. The results are staggering: treated boys now work 17% more hours, girls are 25% more likely to attend secondary school, and the financial return on investment hits an incredible 32% per year. But there's a twist—the benefits differ dramatically between men and women, and the program's effects spill over to untreated kids living nearby. This video breaks down the science, the surprising gender divide, and why this cheap pill might be one of the best investments a government can make. Based on the NBER working paper 'Worms at Work: Long-run Impacts of a Child Health Investment' by Baird et al.