Skip to main content
Back to Top

 

Giving mom a break: The impact of higher EITC payments on maternal health

Date Added to Library: 
Friday, March 30, 2012 - 15:40
Priority: 
normal
Individual Author: 
Evans, William N.
Garthwaite, Craig L.
Reference Type: 
Research Methodology: 
Place Published: 
Cambridge, MA
Published Date: 
August 2010
Published Date (Text): 
August 2010
Publication: 
NBER Working Paper
Issue Number: 
16296
Year: 
2010
Language(s): 
Abstract: 

The 1993 expansions of the Earned Income Tax Credit created the first meaningful separation in the benefit level for families based on the number of children, with families containing two or more children now receiving substantially more in benefits. If income is protective of health, we should see improvements over time in the health for mothers eligible for the EITC with two or more children compared to those with only one child. Using data from the Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance Survey, we find in difference-in-difference models that for low-educated mothers of two or more children, the number of days with poor mental health and the fraction reporting excellent or very good health improved relative to the mothers with only one child. Using data from the National Health Examination and Nutrition Survey, we find evidence that the probability of having risky levels of biomarkers fell for these same low-educated women impacted more by the 1993 expansions, especially biomarkers that indicate inflammation. (author abstract)

Geographic Focus: 
Page Count: 
54
Share/Save

The SSRC is here to help you! Do you need more information on this record?

If you are unable to access the full-text of the article from the Public URL provided, please email our Librarians for assistance at .

In addition to the information on this record provided by the SSRC, you may be able to use the following options to find an electronic copy from an online subscription service or your local library:

  • Worldcat to find an electronic copy from an online subscription service
  • Google Scholar to discover other full text options