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

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  • 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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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hyunkyu Ko, 2024. "Increased WIC Eligibility and Birth Outcomes," American Journal of Health Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 10(4), pages 635-669.
    2. Dmitry Arkhangelsky & Susan Athey & David A. Hirshberg & Guido W. Imbens & Stefan Wager, 2021. "Synthetic Difference-in-Differences," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 111(12), pages 4088-4118, December.
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    6. Sarah Miller & Laura R. Wherry & Diana Greene Foster, 2023. "The Economic Consequences of Being Denied an Abortion," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 15(1), pages 394-437, February.
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    8. Joanna Venator & Jason Fletcher, 2021. "Undue Burden Beyond Texas: An Analysis of Abortion Clinic Closures, Births, and Abortions in Wisconsin," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 40(3), pages 774-813, June.
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    10. Jason M. Lindo & Caitlin Knowles Myers & Andrea Schlosser & Scott Cunningham, 2020. "How Far Is Too Far? New Evidence on Abortion Clinic Closures, Access, and Abortions," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 55(4), pages 1137-1160.
    11. Damian Clarke & Daniel Paila~nir & Susan Athey & Guido Imbens, 2023. "Synthetic Difference In Differences Estimation," Papers 2301.11859, arXiv.org, revised Feb 2023.
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    Cited by:

    1. Patricia H. Born & J. Bradley Karl, 2025. "Financial bequests to children," Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, Springer, vol. 71(3), pages 203-218, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    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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