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Infant Mortality and the Repeal of Federal Prohibition

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  • David S Jacks
  • Krishna Pendakur
  • Hitoshi Shigeoka

Abstract

Using new data on county-level variation in alcohol prohibition from 1933 to 1939, we investigate whether the repeal of federal prohibition increased infant mortality, both in counties and states that repealed and in neighbouring counties. We find that repeal is associated with a 4.0% increase in infant mortality rates in counties that chose wet status via local option elections or state-wide legislation and with a 4.7% increase in neighbouring dry counties, suggesting a large role for cross-border policy externalities. These estimates imply that roughly twenty-seven thousand excess infant deaths could be attributed to the repeal of federal prohibition in this period.

Suggested Citation

  • David S Jacks & Krishna Pendakur & Hitoshi Shigeoka, 2021. "Infant Mortality and the Repeal of Federal Prohibition," The Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 131(639), pages 2955-2983.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:econjl:v:131:y:2021:i:639:p:2955-2983.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/ej/ueab011
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    6. Noghanibehambari, Hamid & Fletcher, Jason, 2023. "In utero and childhood exposure to alcohol and old age mortality: Evidence from the temperance movement in the US," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 50(C).
    7. Galofré-Vilà, Gregori & Meissner, Christopher M. & McKee, Martin & Stuckler, David, 2021. "Austerity and the Rise of the Nazi Party," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 81(1), pages 81-113, March.

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    JEL classification:

    • H73 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - Interjurisdictional Differentials and Their Effects
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • J10 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - General
    • N30 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - General, International, or Comparative

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