For in-person attendees, the talk will be preceded by a light lunch at 12.15pm.

Please email comms@sociology.ox.ac.uk with any questions.

Abstract

While environmental stressors from economic conditions, natural phenomena, and violence are known determinants of infant health, less is known about the effects of divisive political messaging. Isolating these effects is challenging because most political events, like elections, simultaneously communicate messages and signal changes in political authority and policy. 

I use exposure to 2016 U.S. presidential campaign rallies to isolate the effects of political messages, since rallies disseminate political rhetoric before it is known whether candidates will be elected or their policies implemented. Linking over 10 million U.S. births between 2014 and 2017 to rally timing and locations, I apply a staggered difference-in-differences design. 

I find prenatal exposure to the Republican front-runner's rallies increased rates of very low birthweight among infants born to foreign-born Hispanic mothers. Effects are consistent with targeting of immigrants and Latinos in campaign rhetoric. Because early-life health affects wellbeing across the life course, findings point to the far-reaching health consequences of divisive political discourse.