Mums go online: Is the internet changing the demand for healthcare?
File(s)Internet and Health_v21.pdf (1.08 MB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Amaral-Garcia, Sofia
Nardotto, Mattia
Propper, Carol
Valletti, Tommaso
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
We study the effect of internet diffusion on childbirth procedures performed in England between 2000 and 2011. We exploit an identification strategy based on geographical discontinuities in internet access generated by technological factors. We show that broadband internet access increased Cesarean-sections: mothers living in areas with better internet access are 2.5 percent more likely to have a C-section than mothers living in areas with worse internet access. The effect is driven by first-time mothers who are 6 percent more likely to obtain an elective C-section. The increased C-section rate is not accompanied by changes in health care outcomes of mothers and newborns. Health care costs increased with no corresponding medical benefits for patients. Heterogeneity analysis shows that mothers with low income and low education are those more affected: thanks to the internet, they progressively close the C-section gap with mothers with higher income and education. We show evidence documenting the growing importance of the internet as a source of health related information, and we argue that patient’s access to online information is changing the relationship between health care providers and patients.
Date Issued
2022-11-14
Date Acceptance
2020-11-23
Citation
The Review of Economics and Statistics, 2022, 106 (6), pp.1157-1173
ISSN
0034-6535
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Press
Start Page
1157
End Page
1173
Journal / Book Title
The Review of Economics and Statistics
Volume
106
Issue
6
Copyright Statement
© 2021 The President and Fellows of Harvard College and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Sponsor
Commission of the European Communities
Identifier
https://direct.mit.edu/rest/article-abstract/doi/10.1162/rest_a_01033/98201/Mums-Go-Online-Is-the-Internet-Changing-the-Demand
Grant Number
788529
Subjects
c-sections
Information
internet
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2021-04-29