This dissertation comprises three essays at the intersection of public finance, labor economics,health, and economic history. In Chapter 1, co-authored with Tommy Morgan, we explore
the impact of the Great Depression and the New Deal on longevity. Our analysis reveals
that individuals, particularly young men in severely affected areas, experienced significant
reductions in lifespan. Furthermore, we find that New Deal relief increased life expectancy of
men by approximately one year. Chapter 2, co-authored with N�uria Mas and Carles Vergara-
Alert, investigates the causal effects of changes in housing wealth on health outcomes and the
drug crisis in the US, revealing positive implications of housing wealth shocks for self-reported
health and mental well-being, emphasizing the importance of housing-related policies in
addressing the opioid crisis. Chapter 3, co-authored with Tom�as Guanziroli, studies the
factors behind the flattening of the college premium in Brazil, focusing on changes in the
average quality of college graduates and their impact on wages. Our analysis reveals that the
increased supply of college-educated workers originates from newer, lower-ranked universities
with lower wage premiums. However, when considering a specific set of universities, we
observe the college premium is still increasing, signaling a decline in degree quality and its
association with lower average wages.