Reassessing the WIC Effect: Evidence from the Pregnancy Nutrition Surveillance System.

The article analyzes the effectiveness of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) in the U.S. at improving the health of infants. Participants from nine different U.S. states took part in the Pregnancy Nutrition Surveillance System to address limitations in previous work. The study analyzed whether less smoking, improved weight gain during pregnancy, better childbirth results and improved ability to breast feed is associated with greater exposure to WIC. It found only modest effect of WIC on health behavior than that has been claimed by policy analysts.