Mums Go Online: Is the Internet Changing the Demand for Health Care?

Sofia Amaral-Garcia, Mattia Nardotto, Carol Propper and Tommaso Valletti
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Sofia Amaral-Garcia: i3health/ECARES, Universite libre de Bruxelles
Mattia Nardotto: KU Leuven, CEPR, and CESifo

The Review of Economics and Statistics, 2022, vol. 104, issue 6, 1157-1173

Abstract: We study the effect of Internet diffusion on childbirth procedures performed in England between 2000 and 2011. We show that broadband Internet access increased cesarean sections (C-sections): mothers living in areas with better Internet access are 2.5% more likely to obtain a C-section. The effect is driven by first-time mothers who are 6% more likely to obtain a C-section. The increased C-section rate is not accompanied by changes in health care outcomes; thus health care costs increased with no corresponding medical benefits. We show evidence documenting the growing importance of the Internet as a source of health-related information.

Date: 2022
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https://doi.org/10.1162/rest_a_01033
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Related works:
Working Paper: Mums Go Online: Is the Internet Changing the Demand for Healthcare? (2020)
Working Paper: Mums Go Online: Is the Internet Changing the Demand for Healthcare? (2019)
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