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Does the Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) Improve Infant Health Outcomes?

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  • Kreider, Brent
  • Pepper, John V.
  • Roy, Manan

Abstract

We evaluate causal impacts of prenatal WIC participation on healthy birth outcomes, simultaneously accounting for self-selection of expectant mothers into WIC and systematic underreporting of program participation. In doing so, we extend existing partial identification methods to reflect the institutional details of the program. In particular, we allow for a richer measurement error model and apply a modified regression discontinuity design. Combining survey data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study Birth Cohort (ECLS-B) with administrative data from the USDA, our reduces the prevalence of unhealthy birth weight by at least 21 percent and unhealthy gestation duration by at least 9.9 percent.

Suggested Citation

  • Kreider, Brent & Pepper, John V. & Roy, Manan, 2018. "Does the Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) Improve Infant Health Outcomes?," ISU General Staff Papers 201805010700001055, Iowa State University, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:isu:genstf:201805010700001055
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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