Working Paper: NBER ID: w22373
Authors: George Wehby; Dhaval Dave; Robert Kaestner
Abstract: The minimum wage has increased in multiple states over the past three decades. We examine the impact of the state minimum wage on infant health. Using data on the universe of births in the US over 24 years, we find that an increase in the minimum wage is associated with an increase in birth weight driven by increased gestational length and fetal growth rate. The effect size is meaningful and plausible. We also find an increase in prenatal care use and a decline in smoking during pregnancy, which are some channels through which minimum wage can affect infant health.
Keywords: minimum wage; infant health; birth weight; prenatal care; maternal smoking
JEL Codes: I10; I30; J20; J30
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| Minimum Wage Increase (J38) | Birth Weight (J13) |
| Minimum Wage Increase (J38) | Fetal Growth (O41) |
| Minimum Wage Increase (J38) | Gestational Length (C41) |
| Minimum Wage Increase (J38) | Prenatal Care Utilization (J13) |
| Minimum Wage Increase (J38) | Maternal Smoking During Pregnancy (J13) |
| Increase in Income (E25) | Improved Maternal Health (I19) |
| Improved Maternal Health (I19) | Enhanced Prenatal Care (I15) |
| Improved Maternal Health (I19) | Reduced Smoking During Pregnancy (J13) |