The intergenerational effects of language proficiency on child health outcomes: Evidence from survey- and Census-matched health care records
研究父母英语水平有限对澳大利亚出生儿童健康及医疗利用的影响，发现父母语言障碍增加儿童看全科医生的次数，但不影响其他医疗服务或身心健康。
Language proficiency is a crucial skill for immigrants that influences their social integration and their children’s development. This study examines the intergenerational effects of limited English proficiency (LEP) on children’s health and health care utilisation. We mitigate potential selection issues arising from insurance coverage by examining Australian-born children who are all covered under a universal public health insurance scheme. We use Australian population Census and longitudinal survey data linked to administrative health care records, and variation in parent’s language acquisition, based on their age at arrival into Australia. We find that parental LEP has a strong and positive effect on children’s use of general practitioners, but no effect on their use of other healthcare services, or on their physical or mental health. We explore several possible supply- and demand-side explanations.