Abstract: Immunization Information Systems (IIS) provide a comprehensive picture of all immunizations administered by healthcare providers. IIS are essential for tracking vaccine distribution, monitoring vaccination campaigns, and ensuring equitable and efficient vaccine administration. This study investigates the impact of state legislation mandating the reporting of immunizations to IIS on vaccination rates. Utilizing publicly available immunization records from the National Immunization Surveys (NIS) and a staggered difference-in-difference methodology, we present evidence on the effects of these mandates during their initial implementation years. Our findings indicate that state IIS laws significantly increase vaccination rates, particularly in the immediate years following the mandate, with variations across demographic groups. While overall vaccination rates improved, disparities persist among Black children, indicating a need for targeted policies to achieve equitable health outcomes. This study offers valuable insights for future immunization policies and emergency response strategies, underscoring the enduring importance of robust IIS in safeguarding public health.
Abstract: Female genital cutting (FGC) is practiced in several countries worldwide. I investigate the effect of the practice on health and education outcomes. I perform the analysis using two-stage estimations. In the first stage, I use different rounds of representative survey data to determine how an exogenous legal ban on FGC affects the household decision to cut girls based on characteristics such as religion, ethnicity, education, and wealth. From the first stage results, I use the predicted probability of cutting to estimate its effect on health and education outcomes. The second stage results show that the prevalence of FGC decreases after the 1999 law. However, any effect of the law is offset by income shocks such as drought. The findings suggest that FGC yields a substantial loss in terms of human capital. I propose that an adequate ban should be coupled with a compensation mechanism or a cash transfer. It should also target low-income households with girls at early ages.
Abstract: In this paper, I investigate whether informed patients have leverage and more advantages in their care than non-informed patients. Poor relationships and discrimination are related to the physicians' factors that prevent individuals from seeking medical care. I exploit a representative sample from the Medical Expenditure Panel Data from 1996 to 2019 to compare the treatment of informed and non-informed patients. I emphasize the financial incentives that might determine physicians' behaviors when interacting with the two groups. My analysis enlarges the scope of medical decisions to provide general insights into decision-making.