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The Hidden Cost Of Firearm Violence On Infants In Utero

Author

Listed:
  • Janet Currie

    (Yale University and NBER)

  • Bahadõr Dursun

    (Newcastle University and IZA)

  • Michael Hatch

    (American University)

  • Erdal Tekin

    (American University, IZA, and NBER)

Abstract

We examine the impact of firearm violence on newborn health in the U.S. using two approaches. First, we analyze the "beltway sniper" attacks in 2002, leveraging both temporal and spatial variation to compare birth outcomes of exposed children to those unexposed. Second, we investigate in-utero exposure to mass shootings using national data. We find that exposure to these incidents during pregnancy increases the likelihood of very low-birthweight and very premature birth. These events carry a significant economic burden, with the beltway sniper attacks costing at least $155 million and mass shootings resulting in annual costs exceeding $75 million.

Suggested Citation

  • Janet Currie & Bahadõr Dursun & Michael Hatch & Erdal Tekin, 2025. "The Hidden Cost Of Firearm Violence On Infants In Utero," Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers 2487, Cowles Foundation for Research in Economics, Yale University.
    • Handle: RePEc:cwl:cwldpp:2487
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    File URL: https://cowles.yale.edu/sites/default/files/2026-01/d2487.pdf
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