Work

Health Care Centralization: The Health Impacts of Obstetric Unit Closures in the US

Year: 2022

Type: report

Abstract: Over the last few decades, health care services in the United States have become more geographically centralized. We study how the loss of hospital-based obstetric units in over 400 counties affect maternal and infant health via a difference-in-differences design. We find that closures lead mothers to experience a significant change in birth procedures such as inductions and C-sections. In contrast to concerns voiced in the public discourse, the effects on a range of maternal and infant health outcomes are negligible or slightly beneficial. While women travel farther to receive care, closures induce women to receive higher quality care.

Source: National Bureau of Economic Research

DOI: 10.3386/w30141

Authors: Stefanie Fischer, Heather Royer, Corey White

Institutions: National Bureau of Economic Research, University of California, Santa Barbara, Monash University

Language: English

Topic: Healthcare Policy and Management

Subfield: Economics and Econometrics

Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W4282827497

Cites: 37

Cited by: 28

Related to: 10