Research Papers

"Vaping Regulations & Mental Health of Teenagers" with Chandrayee Chatterjee (Under Review)

Rising depression and suicide rates among U.S. teenagers coincide with increased e-cigarette use, raising questions about the relationship between vaping and adolescent mental health. While e-cigarettes are considered safer than traditional cigarettes, emerging evidence suggests that nicotine and other compounds may adversely affect teenage psychological well-being. However, nicotine's antidepressant and mood-modulating properties could also lead vulnerable teens to use vaping as self-medication for underlying mental health conditions. Existing research documents strong negative correlations between vaping and declining adolescent mental health but lacks causal evidence. This study addresses this gap by analyzing 2005-2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey data and employing a difference-in-differences methodology that exploits state-level policy changes restricting youth access to e-cigarettes. Our findings reveal little evidence that policy-induced reductions in e-cigarette use improve teenage mental well-being. Instead, we observe modest evidence of worsening youth mental health following reduced vaping access through minimum legal sale age (MLSA) policies. These results primarily support the self-medication hypothesis and coping response framework, though alternative explanations, including nicotine withdrawal effects, habit formation, and social isolation, may also contribute. The study highlights critical unintended consequences of tobacco control policies on non-substance outcomes. While restricting youth access to e-cigarettes serves important public health goals, policymakers must consider potential mental health implications and develop comprehensive approaches that address both substance use and psychological well-being in adolescent populations.

Available at SSRN - Vaping Regulations and Mental Health of High School Students by Rebecca Sen Choudhury :: SSRN 

“Menstrual Equity Policies and Adolescent Health Outcomes” with Brianna Moxam

Period poverty, the lack of access to menstrual products is a growing public health concern in the U.S., particularly for adolescents in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities.   This study examines the impact of state-level menstrual equity laws, tampon tax exemptions and  state mandated school-based provision of free menstrual products, on adolescent health and  well-being. Using pooled cross-sectional data from the 2013-2023 Youth Risk Behavior Surveys, we explore how improved access to menstrual supplies influences outcomes such as depression,  participation in physical edu- cation classes and sports teams. We find that exemption of tampon  taxes is associated with a 12.5pp reduction in the prevalence of depression among female teenagers.  This effect is more pronounced in white and older high school students. Furthermore, school mandates are associated with increased participation in physical education and sports team among teenagers.

Available at SSRN - Menstrual Equity Policies and Adolescent Health Outcomes

“Disparate Human Capital Productivity Loss in the COVID-19 Pandemic” with Miesha Williams (manuscript in preparation)