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Money Transfer and Birth Weight: A Causal Link from Alaska

Author

Listed:
  • Wankyo Chung

    (School of Business, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea)

  • Beomsoo Kim

    (Department of Economics, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea)

Abstract

Richer and more educated individuals are known to live longer than poorer and less educated ones. This paper employs the first two years distribution of Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend and examines health outcomes of their newborns. The results indicate that income has a significant positive effect on birth weight but that its magnitude is modest. An income shock in the amount of $3,465 increases birth weight by 13 grams, but does not show any significant impact on low birth weight. We find substantially decreased female labor supply among pregnant women but no significant response of prenatal care.

Suggested Citation

  • Wankyo Chung & Beomsoo Kim, 2012. "Money Transfer and Birth Weight: A Causal Link from Alaska," Discussion Paper Series 1202, Institute of Economic Research, Korea University.
    • Handle: RePEc:iek:wpaper:1202
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    File URL: http://econ.korea.ac.kr/~ri/WorkingPapers/w1202.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Birth Weight; Income; Labor Supply;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

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

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