Social Assistance and Birth Outcomes: Evidence from the Uruguayan Panes

37 Pages Posted: 21 Apr 2011

See all articles by Marcela Meléndez

Marcela Meléndez

Econ Estudio

Arturo Harker

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Edward Miguel

University of California, Berkeley - Department of Economics; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Andrea Vigorito

Universidad de la Republica (Uruguay) - Instituto de Economia - Facultad de Ciencias Economicas

Date Written: March 2011

Abstract

This paper estimates the impact of a large temporary poverty relief program, Uruguay's PANES - on birth outcomes. Using program administrative data and longitudinal vital statistics, a significant and precisely estimated reduction in the fraction of low-weight newborns (less than 2,500 g. ) on the order of 10 to 20 percent was found to be a result of treatment. The cash (and in-kind) transfer components of the program were considered to drive the results, suggesting that unrestricted social assistance has the potential to positively affect birth outcomes, most likely through improved nutrition. Assuming that all the effect of the program was through the transfer, an elasticity of low birthweight with respect to welfare transfers on the order of around 0. 30 can be inferred.

Suggested Citation

Meléndez, Marcela and Harker, Arturo and Miguel, Edward and Vigorito, Andrea, Social Assistance and Birth Outcomes: Evidence from the Uruguayan Panes (March 2011). IDB Working Paper No. 4, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1817270 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1817270

Marcela Meléndez

Econ Estudio ( email )

Carrera 7 No. 74-56 Of. 601
Bogotá
Colombia
(571) 743-3280 (Phone)
(571) 743-3283 (Fax)

Arturo Harker (Contact Author)

affiliation not provided to SSRN

No Address Available

Edward Miguel

University of California, Berkeley - Department of Economics ( email )

549 Evans Hall #3880
Berkeley, CA 94720-3880
United States

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

1050 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

Andrea Vigorito

Universidad de la Republica (Uruguay) - Instituto de Economia - Facultad de Ciencias Economicas ( email )

Joaquin Requena 1375
Montevideo 11200, 11200
Uruguay

HOME PAGE: http://www.iecon.ccee.edu.uy

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