Abigail Weitzman
The effects of women's education on maternal health: Evidence from Peru
University of Michigan–Ann Arbor|Michigan United|The University of Texas at Austin
article examines causal effect womens education maternal health peru country maternal mortality declined 70 last two half decades isolate effects education author employs instrumented regression discontinuity takes advantage exogenous source variationan amendment compulsory schooling laws 1993 results indicate extending womens years schooling reduced probability several maternal health complications last pregnancybirth sometimes much 29 underlying effects increasing womens education found decrease probability short birth intervals unwanted pregnancies may result unsafe abortions increase antenatal healthcare use potentially owing changes womens cognitive skills economic resources autonomy findings underscore influential role education reducing maternal morbidity highlight contributions womens education population health health transitions