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Estimating the Effects of Milk Inspections on Infant and Child Mortality, 1880-1910

Author

Listed:
  • D. Mark Anderson
  • Kerwin Kofi Charles
  • Michael McKelligott
  • Daniel I. Rees

Abstract

In the mid-19th century, the urban milk supply in the United States was regularly skimmed or diluted with water, reducing its nutritional value. At the urging of public health experts, cities across the country hired milk inspectors, who were tasked with collecting and analyzing milk samples with the goal of preventing adulteration and skimming. Using city-level data for the period 1880-1910, we explore the effects of milk inspections on infant mortality and mortality among children under the age of 5. Event-study estimates are small and statistically insignificant, providing little evidence of post-treatment reductions in either infant or child mortality.

Suggested Citation

  • D. Mark Anderson & Kerwin Kofi Charles & Michael McKelligott & Daniel I. Rees, 2021. "Estimating the Effects of Milk Inspections on Infant and Child Mortality, 1880-1910," NBER Working Papers 29620, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:29620
    Note: CH DAE EH
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    4. Samuel H. Preston & Michael R. Haines, 1991. "Fatal Years: Child Mortality in Late Nineteenth-Century America," NBER Books, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc, number pres91-1, March.
    5. Goodman-Bacon, Andrew, 2021. "Difference-in-differences with variation in treatment timing," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 225(2), pages 254-277.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
    • N31 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - U.S.; Canada: Pre-1913

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