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Mothers as Insurance: Family Spillovers in WIC

Author

Listed:
  • Marianne Bitler
  • Janet Currie
  • Hilary W. Hoynes
  • Krista J. Ruffini
  • Lisa Schulkind
  • Barton Willage

Abstract

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a widely used program. Previous research shows that WIC improves birth outcomes, but evidence about impacts on children and families is limited. We use a regression discontinuity leveraging an age five when children become ineligible for WIC and examine nutritional and laboratory outcomes for adults and children. We find little impact on children who aged out of the program. But among adult women caloric intake falls and food insecurity increases, suggesting that mothers protect children by consuming less themselves. We find no effect on others in the household.

Suggested Citation

  • Marianne Bitler & Janet Currie & Hilary W. Hoynes & Krista J. Ruffini & Lisa Schulkind & Barton Willage, 2022. "Mothers as Insurance: Family Spillovers in WIC," NBER Working Papers 30112, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:30112
    Note: CH EH LS PE
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ted Joyce & Andrew Racine & Cristina Yunzal-Butler, 2008. "Reassessing the WIC effect: Evidence from the Pregnancy Nutrition Surveillance System," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 27(2), pages 277-303.
    2. Janet Currie & Ishita Rajani, 2015. "Within-Mother Estimates Of The Effects Of Wic On Birth Outcomes In New York City," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 53(4), pages 1691-1701, October.
    3. Arteaga, Irma & Heflin, Colleen & Gable, Sara, 2016. "The impact of aging out of WIC on food security in households with children," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 82-96.
    4. Xia Si & Tammy Leonard, 2020. "Aging Out Of Women Infants And Children: An Investigation Of The Compensation Effect Of Private Nutrition Assistance Programs," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 58(1), pages 446-461, January.
    5. Marianne P. Bitler & Janet Currie, 2005. "Does WIC work? The effects of WIC on pregnancy and birth outcomes," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 24(1), pages 73-91.
    6. Ted Joyce & Diane Gibson & Silvie Colman, 2005. "The changing association between prenatal participation in WIC and birth outcomes in New York City," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 24(4), pages 661-685.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H51 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Health
    • H53 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Welfare Programs
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs

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