... ABSTRACT The Causal Effect of Education on Health: What is the Role of Health Behaviors?* In this paper we investigate the contribution of health related behaviors to the education gradient, using ... is the education gradient” (HEG) Assuming that the cost of education Γ(E, Z), where Z is a vector of cost of education shifters, is convex in the years of education, optimal education is given ... education on health in the second equation is the education gradient (shortly, the gradient), i.e the total effect of education on health that results from both mediated and residual effects of education...