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Occupational Licensing and Maternal Health: Evidence from Early Midwifery Laws

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  • D. Mark Anderson
  • Ryan Brown
  • Kerwin Kofi Charles
  • Daniel I. Rees

Abstract

Exploiting variation across states and municipalities in the timing and details of midwifery laws introduced during the period 1900–1940 and using data assembled from various primary sources, we find that requiring midwives to be licensed reduced maternal mortality by 7%–8% and may have led to modest reductions in infant mortality. These estimates represent the strongest evidence to date that licensing restrictions can improve the health of consumers and are directly relevant to ongoing policy debates on the merits of licensing midwives.

Suggested Citation

  • D. Mark Anderson & Ryan Brown & Kerwin Kofi Charles & Daniel I. Rees, 2020. "Occupational Licensing and Maternal Health: Evidence from Early Midwifery Laws," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 128(11), pages 4337-4383.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jpolec:doi:10.1086/710555
    DOI: 10.1086/710555
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