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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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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Janet Currie & Michael Mueller-Smith & Maya Rossin-Slater, 2022. "Violence While in Utero: The Impact of Assaults during Pregnancy on Birth Outcomes," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 104(3), pages 525-540, May.
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    2. Anupam Jena & David Slusky & Lilly Springer, 2023. "Occupational Hazard? An Analysis of Birth Outcomes Among Physician Mothers," NBER Working Papers 31955, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. Chang, Eunsik & Orozco-Aleman, Sandra & Padilla-Romo, María, 2024. "Long-Term Pre-Conception Exposure to Local Violence and Infant Health," IZA Discussion Papers 17215, IZA Network @ LISER.
    4. Engel, Katherine & Morrissey, Taryn W., 2025. "The effect of New York State’s Paid Family and Medical Leave Program on birth outcomes," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • K40 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - General

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