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From Access to Wellness: Early Life Exposure to Abortion Legalization and the Next Generation’s Health

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  • Noghanibehambari, Hamid

    (University of Texas at Austin)

  • Slusky, David

    (University of Kansas)

  • Vu, Hoa

    (Northwestern University)

Abstract

We examine the multigenerational impacts of legalized abortion in the United States by analyzing how early-life exposure to this policy shift affects birth outcomes in the next generation. Using event study and two-way fixed effects models, we link maternal early-life exposure to legal abortion with improved birth outcomes in the subsequent generation, including higher birth weights and reduced rates of low birth weight. Our analysis of the mechanisms shows that these improvements in birth outcomes are not driven by changes in maternal racial or age composition within the treated generation. Instead, enhanced educational attainment and increased prenatal care utilization among the treated generation appear to play a critical role. Our results highlight the far-reaching implications of reproductive health policies, especially relevant in the post-Dobbs era, where access may once again become constrained for many.

Suggested Citation

  • Noghanibehambari, Hamid & Slusky, David & Vu, Hoa, 2025. "From Access to Wellness: Early Life Exposure to Abortion Legalization and the Next Generation’s Health," IZA Discussion Papers 17760, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17760
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    intergenerational effects; infant health; Roe v. Wade; Abortion; Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H75 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Government: Health, Education, and Welfare
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy

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