The analytical framework that we use to specify our regressions
and interpret the results follows a standard static household production
model applied to health outcomes (for example Grossman,
1972; Strauss and Thomas, 1995, 2008). Health, including mental
health, is produced by health inputs and behaviors, and by health
endowments. Households maximize a household utility function
subject to constraints, including the health production function, a
budget and a time constraint. Exogenous factors affecting household
decisions, and therefore health outcomes, include exogenous
non-labor income and prices, including prices of time (wages) and
of health inputs, the underlying disease environment and public
health infrastructure, and demographic factors such as gender and
age. Education may have multiple influences: it raises the opportunity
cost of time, which will have an associated income effect; it
will improve allocative ability (the ability with which health and
behavior choices are made); and it mayaffect preferences for health.