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Neighborhood crime and infant health

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  • Grossman, Daniel
  • Khalil, Umair

Abstract

We study the effect of maternal exposure to neighborhood crime during pregnancy on birth outcomes, using geographically detailed data for the city of Detroit. Exposure to homicides has deleterious effects on birth weight particularly at the lower end of the distribution. These effects are localized and weaken when homicides farther away from a mother’s neighborhood are considered. However, we find no discernible impacts of other serious violent or property crimes on infant health. Exposure to two or more homicides has the potential to wipe away positive effects of governmental welfare programs for pregnant women.

Suggested Citation

  • Grossman, Daniel & Khalil, Umair, 2022. "Neighborhood crime and infant health," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:juecon:v:130:y:2022:i:c:s0094119022000341
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jue.2022.103457
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Homicides; Birth weight; Birth outcomes; Maternal stress;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • R23 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Regional Migration; Regional Labor Markets; Population

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