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Evaluating WIC

Author

Listed:
  • Douglas J. Besharov

    (University of Maryland)

  • Peter Germanis

    (University of Maryland)

Abstract

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) has enjoyed extraordinary bipartisan support stemming from the widespread belief that research studies have proven that WIC “works.†Although some studies suggest real dietary and health improvements, the greatest benefits only apply to WIC's prenatal program (just a small part of the total program). Even here, weaknesses in the research render the findings highly uncertain. The three most significant weaknesses are (1)selection bias, (2) simultaneity bias, and (3) lack of generalizeability. The resulting uncertainty places WIC's possible impacts on infant mortality, prematurity, and birthweight on a range from zero to substantial. For infants, children, and postpartum and breastfeeding mothers, the only impacts seem to be small to modest effects on anemia and nutrient intake. This paper does not argue that WIC's weaknesses justify abandoning or even cutting the program. On the contrary, there should be a sustained effort to make the program more effective. This effort should start with a policy debate about WIC's role and impacts, coupled with a grant of greater flexibility to state and local WIC agencies to open the program to innovation and experimentation. To increase WIC's positive impacts, we propose a series of possible reforms, each to be thoroughly evaluated.

Suggested Citation

  • Douglas J. Besharov & Peter Germanis, 2000. "Evaluating WIC," Evaluation Review, , vol. 24(2), pages 123-190, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:evarev:v:24:y:2000:i:2:p:123-190
    DOI: 10.1177/0193841X0002400201
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    2. Borrud, Lori & Enns, Cecilia Wilkinson & Mickle, Sharon, 1996. "What We Eat in America: USDA Surveys Food Consumption Changes," Food Review/ National Food Review, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, vol. 19(3), pages 1-6.
    3. Barbara Devaney & Linda Bilheimer & Jennifer Schore, 1992. "Medicaid costs and birth outcomes: The effects of prenatal WIC participation and the use of prenatal care," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 11(4), pages 573-592.
    4. repec:mpr:mprres:1014 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Schramm, W.F., 1985. "WIC prenatal participation and its relationship to newborn Medicaid costs in Missouri: A cost/benefit analysis," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 75(8), pages 851-857.
    6. Galuska, D.A. & Serdula, M. & Pamuk, E. & Siegel, P.Z. & Byers, T., 1996. "Trends in overweight among US adults from 1987 to 1993: A multistate telephone survey," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 86(12), pages 1729-1735.
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