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Occupational Hazard? An Analysis of Birth Outcomes Among Physician Mothers

Author

Listed:
  • Anupam Jena
  • David Slusky
  • Lilly Springer

Abstract

Are birth outcomes of physician mothers affected by their long work hours and physically demanding job? Using Texas birth data from 2007-2014, we compared birth outcomes between physicians and another highly educated group, lawyers, and between surgeons and non-surgeon physicians. Further, using a difference-in-differences framework, we examine whether a 2011 duty hour reform impacted the physician birth outcomes. We find that physicians have an increased incidence of low birthweight and small for gestational age infants, with the results driven by surgeons. We find evidence that duty hour reforms were associated with improved birth outcomes for younger physicians.

Suggested Citation

  • Anupam Jena & David Slusky & Lilly Springer, 2023. "Occupational Hazard? An Analysis of Birth Outcomes Among Physician Mothers," NBER Working Papers 31955, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:31955
    Note: CH EH LS
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J44 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Professional Labor Markets and Occupations
    • K32 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - Energy, Environmental, Health, and Safety Law

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