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The Fertility Reduction Effects of the Colorado Family Planning Initiative by Age and Parity

Author

Listed:
  • Flynn, James

    (Miami University)

  • Stevenson, Amanda

    (University of Colorado Boulder)

  • Yeatman, Sara

    (University of Colorado Denver)

  • Genadek, Katie

    (United States Census Bureau)

  • Menken, Jane

    (University of Colorado Boulder)

  • Mollborn, Stefanie

    (Stockholm University)

  • Root, Leslie

    (University of Colorado Boulder)

Abstract

We use birth records from the National Vital Statistics System to document the full age and parity fertility effects of the Colorado Family Planning Initiative (CFPI). Prior work has demonstrated effects on fertility at ages 15-29. We estimate the fertility effect of the CFPI for all age groups (15-44) and for first and non-first births using the synthetic control method. We find large and significant reductions in birth rates for 15-24-year-olds that line up with other studies, but we find important heterogeneity across parity. For teenagers, we find reductions in first birth rates of 9%, but larger reductions in non-first birth rates of 17-25%. We also find reductions in overall fertility for 20-24 and 25-29-year-olds, but these are entirely driven by reductions of 5-9% in non-first births. For 30-39-year-olds, we find small but significant reductions in fertility of 3-7% across parity levels, and we find a 6% reduction in fertility for 40-44-year-olds. We also conduct inference using synthetic difference-in-differences (SDID) and placebo-based methods. When we do this, our estimates are similar, though confidence intervals are wider, with specifications on older age groups no longer significant.

Suggested Citation

  • Flynn, James & Stevenson, Amanda & Yeatman, Sara & Genadek, Katie & Menken, Jane & Mollborn, Stefanie & Root, Leslie, 2026. "The Fertility Reduction Effects of the Colorado Family Planning Initiative by Age and Parity," IZA Discussion Papers 18852, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18852
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Goldthwaite, L.M. & Duca, L. & Johnson, R.K. & Ostendorf, D. & Sheeder, J., 2015. "Adverse birth outcomes in Colorado: Assessing the impact of a statewide initiative to prevent unintended pregnancy," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 105(9), pages 60-66.
    2. Abadie, Alberto & Diamond, Alexis & Hainmueller, Jens, 2010. "Synthetic Control Methods for Comparative Case Studies: Estimating the Effect of California’s Tobacco Control Program," Journal of the American Statistical Association, American Statistical Association, vol. 105(490), pages 493-505.
    3. Jason M. Lindo & Analisa Packham, 2017. "How Much Can Expanding Access to Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives Reduce Teen Birth Rates?," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 9(3), pages 348-376, August.
    4. Kelly, Andrea & Lindo, Jason M. & Packham, Analisa, 2020. "The power of the IUD: Effects of expanding access to contraception through Title X clinics," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    5. Fischer, Stefanie & Royer, Heather & White, Corey, 2018. "The impacts of reduced access to abortion and family planning services on abortions, births, and contraceptive purchases," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 167(C), pages 43-68.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination

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