SMU SOE Seminar (November 11, 2022): The Benefits of Prenatal Care: Evidence from the SARS Epidemic in Taiwan

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ABSTRACT The 2003 SARS epidemic caused widespread panic in Taiwan and sharply declined prenatal care utilization by 20%. Exploiting this exogenous shock, this paper adopts social learning effects to instrument the reduction in prenatal care visits with the average visits in one's peer group. Using administrative data, we find that prenatal care significantly decreased low birth weight, preterm birth, and infant mortality. The effects on infant mortality only persist among the firstborn, suggesting that information is especially important for first-time mothers. However, we find no effect on maternal complication during delivery. Click here to view the CV.
		PRESENTER Hsien-Ming Lien National Chengchi University
		RESEARCH FIELDS Health Economics
		DATE: 11 November 2022 (Friday)
		TIME: 4pm - 5.30pm
		VENUE: Meeting Room 5.1, Level 5 School of Economics Singapore Management University 90 Stamford Road Singapore 178903