The Impact of WIC on Birth Outcomes: New Evidence from South Carolina Births

27 Pages Posted: 29 Apr 2015

Date Written: Jun 16, 2014

Abstract

This study provides new evidence on the impact of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) on a variety of infant health outcomes by using the most recent South Carolina Vital Statistics data (2004-2012). To account for non-random WIC participation, the study relies on a maternal-fixed effects estimation, due to the availability of unique maternally link data. The results indicate that WIC participation substantially decreases the probability of low birth weight, prematurity, and the probability of being admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Additionally, addressing gestational bias and accounting for the length of gestation, WIC participation reduces the probability of delivering a low weight infant and a small for gestation (SGA) infant by 5% among black mothers.

Keywords: WIC, infant health, supplemental nutrition

Suggested Citation

Sonchak, Lyudmyla, The Impact of WIC on Birth Outcomes: New Evidence from South Carolina Births (Jun 16, 2014). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2599766 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2599766

Lyudmyla Sonchak (Contact Author)

SUNY Oswego ( email )

7060 NY-104
Oswego, NY 13126
United States

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