Study: Fewer pregnancies, more fetal deaths in Flint after lead levels rose in water

Kansas University assistant professor of economics David Slusky explains his study of the Flint water crisis’ impact on fertility rates and fetus deaths in the city. Babies born in Flint after switch to river water also nearly 150 grams lighter than those born in other areas of Michigan, and gained less weight.

The city of Flint saw fewer pregnancies, and a higher number of fetal deaths, during the period women and their unborn children were exposed to high levels of lead in their drinking water, according to a new research study that reviewed health records from Flint and the state.

Fertility rates decreased by 12% among Flint women, and fetal death rates increased by 58%, after April 2014, according to research by assistant professors and health economists David Slusky at Kansas University and Daniel Grossman at West Virginia University.

The pair examined vital statistics data for Flint and the rest of the state of Michigan from 2008 to 2015, zoomed down to the census-tract level. That post-April 2014 time period is significant, because that’s when — in an effort to save money — the city of Flint switched from water supplied by the city of Detroit to […]

Full article plus video: Study: Fewer pregnancies, more fetal deaths in Flint after lead levels rose in water

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