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An Experiment in Incentive-Based Welfare: The Impact of PROGRESA on Health in Mexico

Author

Listed:
  • Gertler, Paul J

    (UC-Berkeley & NBER)

  • Simone Boyce

Abstract

We investigate the impact of a unique anti-poverty program in Mexico on health outcomes. The program, PROGRESA, combines a traditional cash transfer program with financial incentives for families to invest in human capital of children. Our analysis takes advantage of a controlled randomized study design with household panel data. We find that the program significantly increased utilization of public health clinics for preventive care. The program also lowered the number of inpatient hospitalizations and visits to private providers, which is consistent with the hypothesis that PROGESA lowered the incidence of severe illness. We found a significant improvement in the health of both children and adults.

Suggested Citation

  • Gertler, Paul J & Simone Boyce, 2003. "An Experiment in Incentive-Based Welfare: The Impact of PROGRESA on Health in Mexico," Royal Economic Society Annual Conference 2003 85, Royal Economic Society.
    • Handle: RePEc:ecj:ac2003:85
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    Cited by:

    1. Blumenstock, Joshua & Bjorkegren, Dan & Knight, Samsun, 2022. "(Machine) Learning What Policies Value," CEPR Discussion Papers 17364, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    2. Fatoumata Nankoto Cissé, 2022. "How impact evaluation methods influence the outcomes of development projects? Evidence from a meta-analysis on decentralized solar nano projects," Post-Print halshs-03623394, HAL.
    3. Packel, Laura & Dow, William H. & de Walque, Damien & Isdahl, Zachary & Majura, Albert, 2012. "Sexual behavior change intentions and actions in the context of a randomized trial of a conditional cash transfer for HIV prevention in Tanzania," Policy Research Working Paper Series 5997, The World Bank.
    4. Ciro Avitabile, 2012. "Does Information Improve the Health Behavior of Adults Targeted by a Conditional Transfer Program?," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 47(3), pages 785-825.
    5. Fatoumata Nankoto Cissé, 2022. "How impact evaluation methods influence the outcomes of development projects? Evidence from a meta-analysis on decentralized solar nano projects," Université Paris1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (Post-Print and Working Papers) halshs-03623394, HAL.
    6. Karthik Muralidharan & Paul Niehaus, 2017. "Experimentation at Scale," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 31(4), pages 103-124, Fall.
    7. Finan,Frederico S. & De Janvry,Alain F. & Sadoulet,Elisabeth Marie L. & Vakis,Renos, 2004. "Can conditional cash transfer programs improve social risk management? Lessons for education and child labor outcomes," Social Protection and Labor Policy and Technical Notes 32543, The World Bank.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    anti-pverty program; child health; Mexico;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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