Curriculum Reforms and Infant Health

Abstract This paper examines the effects of high school curriculum reforms on infant health by exploiting sharp and staggered changes across states in core course requirements for graduation. Our results suggest that significantly reduced incidence low birth weight prematurity black mothers. For white mothers, estimated are small generally insignificant. We also explore mechanisms observed provide evidence consistent with our explanations. Finally, we calculate a large social gain induced favorable outcomes. Several robustness checks different placebo tests support findings.