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Enhancing information to improve outcomes: the impact of home visiting programs on maternal health

Author

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  • Johabed G. Olvera

    (Pennsylvania State University)

  • Julio A. Ramos Pastrana

    (Indiana University)

Abstract

We examine the impact of a home visiting program targeting pregnant women in Mexico City on maternal mortality. Using administrative data and taking advantage of the program’s rollout, we estimate a staggered difference-in-differences model. We find that the program substantially reduces the maternal mortality rate by 23 maternal deaths per 100,000 births, leading to a total of 105 lives saved in the study period, which amounts to social welfare gains of 17 million dollars. We complement our analysis using call data from a government telehealth program and show that the program led to more pregnancy-related calls, suggesting that the reduction in maternal mortality was at least partially driven by the type of information provided during the home visits, which increased mothers’ awareness of common pregnancy complications signs and connected pregnant women with the healthcare system.

Suggested Citation

  • Johabed G. Olvera & Julio A. Ramos Pastrana, 2024. "Enhancing information to improve outcomes: the impact of home visiting programs on maternal health," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 37(4), pages 1-36, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jopoec:v:37:y:2024:i:4:d:10.1007_s00148-024-01050-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s00148-024-01050-7
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Home visiting programs; Maternal mortality; Prenatal care; Global health; Information;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D04 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Policy: Formulation; Implementation; Evaluation
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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