RESEARCH

JOB MARKET PAPER 

Effects of a Conditional Cash Transfer for Maternal and Infant Health with 29 Million Beneficiaries   [Latest Version]

Abstract: The nationwide conditional cash transfer program, India’s Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, reached tens of millions of beneficiaries within five years of its launch, yet evidence on its impacts remains limited. This study provides the first causal evidence on the effects of the program, introduced in 2017, which offers cash incentives to pregnant women and new mothers for their first child, conditional on pregnancy registration, at least one antenatal care visit, and completion of the child’s first vaccination cycle. Difference-in-differences and event-study analyses leverage variation in program eligibility by birth order to identify causal effects. The results of these analyses indicate that the PMMVY had no significant impact on pregnancy registration, antenatal care visits, maternal anemia, birth weight, or child vaccination.

WORKING PAPERS

“Subjective Economic Hardships during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States” with Erdal Asker and Shatakshee Dhongde

Abstract: In this paper, we analyze multidimensional hardships experienced by Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. We use a unique household panel data between 2018 and 2021 to compile information on self-reported economic hardships, including current financial situation, financial situation over time, local economic conditions, and inability to pay unexpected expenses. We combine this household survey data with state-level data on lockdown measures. Our findings indicate that stricter lockdowns were associated with a greater number of hardships. During the pandemic, 30.5 percent or almost 1 in 3 adults experienced multiple hardships. These difficulties were prevalent among both women and men, as well as across White, Black, and Hispanic populations. Our results underscore the fact that the pandemic intensified the hardships experienced by Americans and has had a lasting impact on their overall well-being.

WORKS IN PROGRESS 

"Do Wealth Shocks Influence Social Connection?"

“Effects of Job Loss on Social Health” with Jason Lindo