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Downstream Effects of Post-Dobbs Abortion Bans: Birth Rates and WIC

Author

Listed:
  • Lilly Springer

    (Department of Economics, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA)

Abstract

Abortion bans tend to impact the cohorts of women that are eligible for the supplement nutrition program WIC the most. I use synthetic difference-in-differences models and 2017-2023 monthly state-level CDC and USDA data to estimate if states with total abortion bans experience a change in birth rates and WIC participation. I find that states that implemented a total abortion ban by the start of 2023 experience a 2% increase in the overall birth rate in the first 6 months of the year and a 2.1% and 4.2% increase in monthly infant and postpartum women WIC participation respectively, leading to a total additional $8.9 million in food costs.

Suggested Citation

  • Lilly Springer, 2025. "Downstream Effects of Post-Dobbs Abortion Bans: Birth Rates and WIC," WORKING PAPERS SERIES IN THEORETICAL AND APPLIED ECONOMICS 202513, University of Kansas, Department of Economics, revised May 2025.
    • Handle: RePEc:kan:wpaper:202513
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    File URL: https://kuwpaper.ku.edu/2025Papers/202513.pdf
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    abortion; Dobbs; fertility; WIC; abortion ban; Roe;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • 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

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