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Reassessing the WIC effect: Evidence from the Pregnancy Nutrition Surveillance System

Author

Listed:
  • Ted Joyce

    (Baruch College, City University of New York)

  • Andrew Racine

    (Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Children's Hospital, Montefiore)

  • Cristina Yunzal-Butler

    (City University of New York)

Abstract

Recent analyses differ on how effective the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is at improving infant health. We use data from nine states that participate in the Pregnancy Nutrition Surveillance System to address limitations in previous work. With information on the mother's timing of WIC enrollment, we test whether greater exposure to WIC is associated with less smoking, improved weight gain during pregnancy, better birth outcomes, and greater likelihood of breastfeeding. Our results suggest that much of the often reported association between WIC and lower rates of preterm birth is likely spurious, the result of gestational age bias. We find modest effects of WIC on fetal growth, inconsistent associations between WIC and smoking, limited associations with gestational weight gain, and some relationship with breastfeeding. A WIC effect exists, but on fewer margins and with less impact than has been claimed by policy analysts and advocates. © 2008 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.

Suggested Citation

  • Ted Joyce & Andrew Racine & Cristina Yunzal-Butler, 2008. "Reassessing the WIC effect: Evidence from the Pregnancy Nutrition Surveillance System," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 27(2), pages 277-303.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jpamgt:v:27:y:2008:i:2:p:277-303
    DOI: 10.1002/pam.20325
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Douglas Almond & Kenneth Y. Chay & David S. Lee, 2005. "The Costs of Low Birth Weight," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 120(3), pages 1031-1083.
    2. Ted Joyce & Diane Gibson & Silvie Colman, 2004. "The Changing Association Between Prenatal Participation in WIC and Birth Outcomes in New York City," NBER Working Papers 10796, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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    4. Barbara Devaney & Linda Bilheimer & Jennifer Schore, 1992. "Medicaid costs and birth outcomes: The effects of prenatal WIC participation and the use of prenatal care," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 11(4), pages 573-592.
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    6. Stockbauer, J.W., 1987. "WIC prenatal participation and its relation to pregnancy outcomes in Missouri: A second look," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 77(7), pages 813-818.
    7. Ted Joyce & Diane Gibson & Silvie Colman, 2005. "The changing association between prenatal participation in WIC and birth outcomes in New York City," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 24(4), pages 661-685.
    8. Windsor, R.A. & Lowe, J.B. & Perkins, L.L. & Smith-Yoder, D. & Artz, L. & Crawford, M. & Amburgy, K. & Boyd Jr., N.R., 1993. "Health education for pregnant smokers: Its behavioral impact and cost benefit," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 83(2), pages 201-206.
    9. Marianne P. Bitler & Janet Currie, 2005. "The changing association between prenatal participation in WIC and birth outcomes in New York City: What does it mean?," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 24(4), pages 687-690.
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