Working Paper: NBER ID: w1688
Authors: Victor R. Fuchs; Leslie Perreault
Abstract: This paper presents the first systematic estimates of the direct money costs of reproduction-related health services. In 1982 Americans spent approximately $17.7 billion for contraception, abortion, treatment of infertility, obstetrical care, and infant care. This represented 5.5 percent of total health care spending and was equal to $327 per woman of reproductive age (15?44). Obstetrical care accounted for almost half of the reproduction-related expenditures and infant care accounted for morethan one-third. The paper discusses the demographic, technologic, economic,and sociopolitical factors that determine these expenditures. It also considers related public policy issues regarding legal status, sources of funding, and allocation of resources.
Keywords: reproduction-related health care; health economics; cost analysis
JEL Codes: I11; I18
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| number of women of childbearing age (J13) | total reproduction-related expenditures (Q26) |
| technological advancements in reproductive health care (J13) | demand for related services (L89) |
| demographic factors (age distribution of women) (J21) | levels of spending (H61) |
| economic factors (costs of contraceptive methods) (P42) | overall spending on reproduction-related health care (H51) |
| increased awareness and availability of infertility treatments (J13) | higher expenditures (H51) |