Drawing on data from the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS), this study investigates the impact of Ban the Box (BTB) laws on drug-related mortality. Two years after adoption, BTB laws are associated with more than a 35 percent increase in drug-related mortality among Black and Hispanic men. The main mechanism driving this increase appears to be diminished labor opportunities. Consistent with the results of previous studies, I find evidence that BTB adoption reduces wages, the probability of employment, and the probability of full-time employment among Black and Hispanic men. This is the first study to provide evidence that BTB laws have negative spillover effects on drug-related fatalities.

To what extent does representation in mass media content influences gender-related perceptions of children and their later-life achievements? This study examines how childhood exposure to female-led superhero animated series shapes educational choices and gender stereotypes. We leverage two sources of variation: the signal coverage of the TV channel broadcasting these cartoons across areas in Ukraine in the early 2000s, and the duration of exposure to these cartoons during childhood. We find that girls who had access to cartoons with strong female leads have higher educational attainments. They are also more likely to pursue STEM subjects, and have more internal locus of control. Additionally, for both sexes, we have evidence of a decline in traditional gender stereotypes.

This study investigates the effects of influenza vaccination in the United States on labor market outcomes. I exploit a random variation in the match between the viruses present in the vaccine and those in circulation to estimate the impact of influenza vaccination on employment and wages. The findings indicate a positive association between vaccination and labor market outcomes in high- and low-contact non-tradable sectors. However, this association is small and not statistically significant in tradable sectors. The results suggest that the main mechanisms behind this relationship are an increase in labor productivity and a surge in aggregate demand driven by higher labor income of workers affected by a labor productivity shock. These findings provide new evidence that aggregate supply shocks in some sectors may cause demand fluctuations in sectors that are not directly affected.