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

Arbeitspapier

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.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: IZA Discussion Papers ; No. 15987

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth ; Health: Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health ; Labor Economics Policies ; Demographic Economics: Public Policy ; Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty: Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
• Subject: obstetric ; closure ; infant health ; maternal health ; maternity ward ; hospital quality

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Fischer, Stefanie ; Royer, Heather ; White, Corey
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
• (where): Bonn
• (when): 2023

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/272614
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:45 AM CET