Topics in Stratification: Theories and Measurement
Paper Session
Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2027 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM (EST)
- Chair: Jevay Grooms, Howard University
The Inequality of Recessions: The Application of Turning Point Analysis with Labor Market Disparities
Abstract
Utilizing turning point analysis reveals that downturns are detectable in economically vulnerable groups prior to official recession dating. Labor market disparities coincide with cyclical sensitivities and co-indicators of recession. After optimizing over trillions of candidate recession indicators, this work shows broader measures of labor utilization in standard turning-point frameworks, like a U6-based Sahm-style rule, signals recessions about one month earlier than conventional indicators and roughly five months before official dating. Comprehensive utilization measures capture both rising slack and early distress among economically vulnerable groups, which tend to deteriorate first. Extending this approach by education, race, and other margins produces more responsive indicators and reveals heterogeneity in labor-market volatility and recovery. These modified indicators improve recession dating and inform policy design.Mental Healthcare Facilities and Mortality: Evidence from Local Access and Insurance Expansion
Abstract
Do mental health treatment facilities save lives? Using County Business Patterns data (1999-2016) and within-county variation, I provide the first causal evidence that mental health infrastructure reduces mortality broadly. Each additional facility prevents 1.56 deaths per 100,000 residents from all causes annually, with mental and behavioral disorder (MBD) mortality declining by 0.079%. A 10% increase in facilities lowers overall mortality by 0.5% and MBD mortality by 2%. Three key findings emerge: (1) facility closures increase mortality ten times more than openings reduce it, revealing asymmetries with welfare implications; (2) Medicaid expansion amplifies facility effectiveness by 26% in high-uninsurance counties, demonstrating that insurance and infrastructure are complements, not substitutes; (3) facilities operate through multiple mechanisms beyond direct treatment, serving as gateways to disability programs and enabling pharmaceutical access. Effects concentrate among elderly and less-educated populations who face the highest access barriers. Event studies using the Sun and Abraham (2021) estimator show immediate, persistent effects with no pre-trends. The benefit-cost ratio exceeds 4-to-1, with each facility generating $11.7 million in annual net benefits. Results indicate that neither insurance expansion nor infrastructure investment alone maximizes health benefits; coordinated policies addressing both dimensions are essential for reducing mortality.The Impact of Menstrual Equity Policies on Adolescent Health Outcomes: Exploring Differences by Race
Abstract
Period poverty, the lack of access to menstrual products is a growing public health concern in the U.S., particularly for adolescents in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities. The burden of period poverty is not evenly distributed and disproportionatelyaffects students of color, students from low-income households, and LGBTQ individuals, with particularly pronounced disparities among Latina and Black students. A growing body of research links inadequate access to menstrual products with poorer mental health, increased absenteeism, and diminished academic engagement and therefore, period poverty not only affects individual well-being but also reinforces broader educational, workforce, and health inequities among young women. This study examines the impact of state-level menstrual equity laws, tampon tax exemptions and state mandated school-based provision of free menstrual products, on adolescent health and well-being. Using pooled cross-sectional data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveys, we explore how improved access to menstrual supplies influences outcomes such as depression, participation in physical education classes and sports teams participation.
A Spatial and Quantitative Analysis of Food Insecurity in the Metro Atlanta Area
Abstract
In the Metro-Atlanta area, many individuals, primarily of African American or Hispanic descent, lack access to fresh food, which leads to adverse health outcomes such as diet-related diseases, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, obesity, and carcinogenic problems (Cohen 2021). This study identifies the incidence of food deserts in the Metro Atlanta area using ArcGIS Mapping tools. Using Feeding America data from 2023, it further examines the complexities of food insecurity and the factors contributing to it. The findings reveal racial disparity in exposure to food insecurity, leading to health and income disparities. The results may aid Atlanta policymakers in developing strategies for addressing and implementing practical and efficient fresh produce options for minority communities, providing an equitable opportunity for households in Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, and Cobb Counties, Georgia, for sustainable livelihood.JEL Classifications
- J1 - Demographic Economics
- I3 - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty