Research Seminar with Emily Lawler, PhD
Effect of Hospital Breastfeeding Policies on Infant Health
Open to Penn Affiliates
We study the effects of state hospital regulations intended to increase breastfeeding by requiring certain care standards during the postpartum hospital stay. Policy adoption increased breastfeeding initiation by 3.3–4.1 percentage points (4.2–5.2 percent) and breastfeeding at 3 months postpartum by 6–9 percent. Further, following adoption, infant mortality declined by 0.2 deaths per 1,000 live births (3.5 percent), and infant hospitalization charges fell. Declines in mortality and charges primarily occurred among medically vulnerable infants, consistent with evidence that breast milk supports immune development. Additional evidence suggests that improvements in infant sleep practices also played a role in reducing mortality.
Please note: Registration is required. In-person attendance is strongly encouraged, although virtual access will be provided for all registrants.
Co-sponsored with the Department of Health Care Management at the Wharton School.
Speaker
Emily Lawler, PhD
Associate Professor, Public Administration and Policy, University of Georgia
Emily C. Lawler, PhD is a health economist and an Associate Professor in the Department of Public Administration and Policy at the University of Georgia. She is also a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research in the Children and Families and Economics of Health programs and currently serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Health Economics and as an Editorial Board Member for the American Journal of Health Economics. Her research examines how policies shape health and health behaviors, with particular focus on maternal and child health and vaccination.
Dr. Lawler’s research has been published in leading economics and health journals, including American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, Journal of Health Economics, Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, and Annals of Internal Medicine, and her work has been supported by the National Institutes of Health and other competitive funding sources. She has also been recognized with awards for excellence in research by the American Society of Health Economists and with teaching and mentorship awards at the University of Georgia.