Mums Go Online: Is the Internet Changing the Demand for Health Care?

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Amaral-Garcia, Sofia; Nardotto, Mattia; Propper, Carol; Valletti, Tommaso
• 署名单位: Universite Libre de Bruxelles; KU Leuven; Centre for Economic Policy Research - UK; Leibniz Association; Ifo Institut; Imperial College London; University of Bristol; University of Rome Tor Vergata
• 刊物名称: REVIEW OF ECONOMICS AND STATISTICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0034-6535
• DOI: 10.1162/rest_a_01033
• 发表日期: 2022-11
• 页码: 1157-1173
• 关键词: information-seeking; decision-making; QUALITY; REFORM; web; COMPETITION; pregnancy; BEHAVIOR; adoption; CHOICE

摘要

We study the effect of Internet diffusion on childbirth procedures performed in England between 2000 and 2011. We show that broadband Internet access increased cesarean sections (C-sections): mothers living in areas with better Internet access are 2.5% more likely to obtain a C-section. The effect is driven by first-time mothers who are 6% more likely to obtain a C-section. The increased C-section rate is not accompanied by changes in health care outcomes; thus health care costs increased with no corresponding medical benefits. We show evidence documenting the growing importance of the Internet as a source of health-related information.