Maternal education and infant health gradient: New answers to old questions

Vinish Shrestha

Economics & Human Biology, 2020, vol. 39, issue C

Abstract: By using data from the National Vital Statistics System, this study provides an in-depth investigation of the well-documented mother's education– infant health gradient. The study allows for differential relationship between mother's education and infant health outcomes across localities based on income status by using birthweight and low birthweight as health measures. The results show that mother's education– infant birthweight relationship is more concentrated at relatively poor geographic areas. This can partially be explained by increases in utilization of health services among educated mothers residing in poorer areas compared to mothers with lower levels of education. Although the magnitude of education–health gradient has decreased in recent years, the gradient is still more pronounced in poorer localities. Access to health care during pregnancy, measured by adequacy of care, has improved particularly among less educated mothers living in poorer areas. However, smoking participation during pregnancy has declined substantially among less educated mothers across all geographic localities in recent years. Additionally, mother's education–infant health gradient is similar across black and white race groups.

Keywords: Education–health gradient; Infant health; Birthweight; Poverty (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I10 I26 I30 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Working Paper: Maternal Education and Infant Health Gradient: New Answers to Old Questions (2020)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:ehbiol:v:39:y:2020:i:c:s1570677x19302370

DOI: 10.1016/j.ehb.2020.100894

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