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Title: The Impact of Abortion Legalization on Adult Mortality in the Next Generation

Citation Type: Dissertation/Thesis

Publication Year: 2011

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Abstract: Abortion legalization was one of the most important changes in social policy of the 20th century. Previous studies of this consequential legislation examine its impact on the women with the ability to obtain legal abortions, as well as the outcomes of those born in a regime of legal abortion. This is the first paper to examine the effect of abortion legalization on the adult health of the next generation. I examine the link between women?s abortion access and the mortality rates of their children when those children reach ages 20-30. I find that those individuals born at least eighteen months after legalization of abortion in their birth state have mortality rates that are 3% than lower than would otherwise be predicted. Abortion legalization is associated with a statistically significant negative impact on white and black mortality rates, with the largest effects for black males. I find some evidence that the association between legalization and mortality in the next generation is being driven by selection effects, through a change the composition of mothers giving birth and the wantedness? of those being born. I also find that deaths caused by risky behaviors are the most affected by legalization. Overall, the results suggest abortion policy has the potential to affect the adult health of the next generation.

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Authors: Lutchen, Alexa

Institution: Williams College

Department: Economics

Advisor: Tara Watson

Degree: Honors

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Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Fertility and Mortality, Health

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