Work

Effects of State-Level Earned Income Tax Credit Laws in the U.S. on Maternal Health Behaviors and Infant Health Outcomes

Year: 2017

Type: article

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of state-level Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) laws in the U.S. on maternal health behaviors and infant health outcomes. Using multi-state, multi-year difference-in-differences analyses, we estimated effects of state EITC generosity on maternal health behaviors, birth weight and gestation weeks. We find little difference in maternal health behaviors associated with state-level EITC. In contrast, results for key infant health outcomes of birth weight and gestation weeks show small improvements in states with EITCs, with larger effects seen among states with more generous EITCs. Our results provide evidence for important health benefits of state-level EITC policies.

Source: Strathprints: The University of Strathclyde institutional repository (University of Strathclyde)

Authors: Sara Markowitz, Kelli A. Komro, Melvin D. Livingston, Otto Lenhart, Alexander C. Wagenaar

Institutions: National Bureau of Economic Research, Emory University, University of Florida, University of North Texas, University of Strathclyde

Language: English

Topic: Gender, Labor, and Family Dynamics

Subfield: Gender Studies

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W3150592872

FWCI:

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Related to: 10