Geographic Variation in Cesarean Sections in the United States: Trends, Correlates, and Other Interesting Facts

Sarah Robinson, Heather Royer and David Silver

No 31871, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: Analyzing data spanning three decades covering the near universe of births, we study county-level differences in Cesarean section (C-section) rates among first-time mothers of singleton births. Our research reveals persistent geographic variation in C- section rates for both low- and high-risk groups. Counties with elevated C-section rates consistently perform more C-sections across mothers at all levels of appropriateness for the procedure. These elevated rates of C-section in high C-section counties are associated with reduced maternal and infant morbidity. We also find that C-section decisions are less responsive to underlying risks for Black mothers relative to white mothers, suggesting potential welfare-reducing disparities.

JEL-codes: I1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023-11
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Published as Sarah Robinson & Heather Royer & David Silver, 2024. "Geographic Variation in Cesarean Sections in the United States: Trends, Correlates, and Other Interesting Facts," Journal of Labor Economics, vol 42(S1), pages S219-S259.

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