College affirmative action bans and smoking and alcohol use among underrepresented minority adolescents in the United States: A difference-in-differences study
Banning college affirmative action policies has important adverse spillover effects on health risk behaviors, with underrepresented minority 11th and 12th graders exposed to affirmative action bans resulted in increased smoking that continued between ages 19 and 30. There was also in an increase in past-30-day binge drinking. Social policies, such as college-level affirmative action programs, that increase socioeconomic opportunities could improve population health, wellbeing, and equity.
Journal: PLOS Medicine.