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Long-Term and Multi-Generational Impacts of Skilled Birth Attendance

Author

Listed:
  • Sun, Meiping

    (Shandong University of Finance and Economics)

  • Yang, Yiying

    (Fordham University)

Abstract

This paper examines the long-term and multi-generational benefits of skilled birth attendance (SBA), which involves having a trained midwife or doctor present at delivery to safely perform normal deliveries using aseptic techniques and provide first-line emergency obstetric care. Using data on the county-by-county rollout of SBA in China from the 1930s to the 1970s, our research first demonstrates that the SBA reform substantially reduced neonatal mortality. We then show that exposure to skilled delivery during birth leads to a 1.5% increase in adult income. Moreover, we discovered that the benefits of exposure to SBA in previous generations extend to subsequent offspring. Children with at least one parent who experienced SBA have a 2.6% higher monthly income in adulthood than those whose parents did not have access to SBA. We also present evidence of several underlying mechanisms, including improved physical and mental health, better educational outcomes, and enhanced cognitive abilities. Our findings indicate that having skilled health professionals attend childbirths can result in significant long-term and multi-generational benefits.

Suggested Citation

  • Sun, Meiping & Yang, Yiying, 2026. "Long-Term and Multi-Generational Impacts of Skilled Birth Attendance," IZA Discussion Papers 18719, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18719
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • H51 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Health
    • H75 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Government: Health, Education, and Welfare
    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • N35 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Asia including Middle East
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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