Children’s Savings Accounts (CSAs) are interventions
designed to build educational assets for school-age children. The positive effects
of having a CSA has been established for mental health and developmental outcomes,
yet no studies to date have examined how CSAs affect children’s physical health.
This study uses data from Harold Alfond College Challenge, the oldest and one of
the most well-known CSA programs in the United States, to evaluate the association
between a CSA and children’s physical health status measured by parent-rated children’s
health. Results indicate CSA ownership is associated with a greater chance of reporting
excellent or very good health than those families who did not receive a CSA. Implications
on research and CSA programs are discussed.
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