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Public Health Policy at Scale: Impact of a Government-Sponsored Information Campaign on Infant Mortality in Denmark

Author

Listed:
  • Onur Altındağ

    (Bentley University, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), and Economic Research Forum (ERF))

  • Jane Greve

    (VIVE—The Danish Center for Social Science Research)

  • Erdal Tekin

    (School of Public Affairs, American University, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), and National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER))

Abstract

We evaluate the impact of a nationwide public health intervention on deaths from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), using population data from Denmark in a regression discontinuity research design. The information campaign—implemented primarily through a universal nurse home visiting program—reduced infant mortality by 17.2% and saved between 11.6 and 13.5 lives over 10,000 births. The estimated effect sizes are 11–14 times larger among low-birthweight and preterm infants relative to the overall population. Improvement in infant mortality is concentrated among those with low socioeconomic status and with limited access to health information, thereby reducing health inequities at birth.

Suggested Citation

  • Onur Altındağ & Jane Greve & Erdal Tekin, 2024. "Public Health Policy at Scale: Impact of a Government-Sponsored Information Campaign on Infant Mortality in Denmark," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 106(3), pages 882-893, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:tpr:restat:v:106:y:2024:i:3:p:882-893
    DOI: 10.1162/rest_a_01211
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    Cited by:

    1. Albornoz, Facundo & Bottan, Nicolas & Cruces, Guillermo & Hoffmann, Bridget & Lombardi, María, 2024. "Backlash against expert recommendations: Reactions to COVID-19 advice in Latin America," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).
    2. Gonzalez, Felipe & Prem, Mounu, 2025. "Government Support in Times of Crisis: Transfers and the Road to Socialism," OSF Preprints vnz6d_v1, Center for Open Science.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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