Health Care Centralization: The Health Impacts of Obstetric Unit Closures in the US

Stefanie Fischer (), Heather Royer and Corey White
Additional contact information
Stefanie Fischer: Monash University

No 15987, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: Over the last few decades, health care services in the United States have become more geographically centralized. We study how the loss of hospital-based obstetric units in over 400 counties affect maternal and infant health via a difference-in-differences design. We find that closures lead mothers to experience a significant change in birth procedures such as inductions and C-sections. In contrast to concerns voiced in the public discourse, the effects on a range of maternal and infant health outcomes are negligible or slightly beneficial. While women travel farther to receive care, closures induce women to receive higher quality care.

Keywords: maternity ward; maternal health; infant health; closure; obstetric; hospital quality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I18 I38 J08 J13 J18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 68 pages
Date: 2023-03
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hea and nep-lab
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Published - published in: American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 2024, 16 (3), 113–141

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Related works:
Working Paper: Health Care Centralization: The Health Impacts of Obstetric Unit Closures in the US (2022)
Working Paper: Health Care Centralization: The Health Impacts of Obstetric Unit Closures in the US (2022)
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