Abstract
AbstractThe minimum wage has increased in multiple states over the past three decades and it continues to be a controversial policy. Most prior research has examined the effect of the minimum wage on employment and wages. In this study, we examine the impact of the state minimum wage on infant health. Using data on the universe of births in the U.S. over 24 years, we find that an increase in the minimum wage is associated with a small, but statistically significant increase in birthweight driven primarily by increased fetal growth rate. Effects are largest for young, married mothers. In terms of mechanisms, we find no evidence that prenatal care use and smoking during pregnancy are channels through which minimum wage improves infant health.
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