Minimum Wage Hikes Are Linked to Lower Rates of Pregnancy-Related Hypertension

Raising the minimum wage is often discussed in terms of higher incomes, reduced inequality, and better quality of life for workers. But new research suggests there may be another important benefit that doesn’t get talked about as much: safer pregnancies. A recent study from Rutgers University finds that increases in the minimum wage are associated with lower rates of pregnancy-related hypertension, one of the most serious and common threats to maternal health.

The research, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, adds to a growing body of evidence showing that economic policies can have direct and measurable effects on health outcomes, especially for vulnerable populations like pregnant women.

What the Study Looked At

The study was led by Slawa Rokicki, an assistant professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health, along with Mark McGovern, a health economist and associate professor at the same institution. Their goal was to understand whether changes in state-level minimum wage laws had any relationship with hypertensive disorders during pregnancy.

To do this, the researchers analyzed 28 years of data, spanning from 1992 to 2019. They combined two major sources of information:

State-level health data from the Global Burden of Disease study
Records of state minimum wage changes across all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia

Over that period, there were 61 state-level minimum wage increases of at least $1. The researchers compared maternal health outcomes before and after these wage hikes while adjusting for a wide range of factors, including demographics, political environments, and other economic policies such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

The Key Finding: Fewer Hypertensive Disorders

The results were striking. According to the study, a $1 or greater increase in the minimum wage was associated with 64 fewer cases of maternal hypertensive disorders per 100,000 women over a five-year period.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy include conditions such as:

Gestational hypertension
Preeclampsia
Eclampsia

These conditions are far from minor. They significantly increase the risk of stroke, heart disease, seizures, and other serious complications. They are also closely linked to preterm birth, which can have lifelong consequences for infants.

Why Hypertension in Pregnancy Matters

Pregnancy-related hypertension is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in the United States and around the world. According to data from the World Health Organization, hypertensive disorders were responsible for about 16% of maternal deaths globally in 2023, which translates to roughly 42,000 deaths.

The burden of these conditions is not evenly distributed. Rates of pregnancy-related hypertension are significantly higher among women in lower-income communities, where chronic stress, financial instability, and limited access to resources are more common. Women are also more likely than men to earn minimum wage, placing them at greater risk of economic strain during pregnancy.

Timing Matters: The Lag Effect

One interesting detail in the findings is that the health benefits didn’t appear immediately. The largest reductions in hypertensive disorders showed up two to four years after a minimum wage increase.

This delay makes sense when you think about how economic changes work in real life. Higher wages don’t instantly transform health outcomes, but over time they can lead to:

Reduced chronic stress
Improved nutrition
More consistent access to healthcare
Healthier behaviors overall

These gradual improvements can create a healthier environment for pregnancy, even if the wage increase happens years before conception.

Economic Security as a Health Factor

The study strongly reinforces the idea that social and structural determinants of health play a crucial role in pregnancy outcomes. While medical care is essential, factors like economic security, housing stability, and access to nutritious food can be just as important.

Obstetric disorders are complex and influenced by many factors, but the research suggests that policies improving financial stability can meaningfully reduce risk at a population level. This shifts some of the conversation about maternal health away from individual choices and toward broader systemic conditions.

Why This Matters Right Now

The findings are especially relevant given the current state of minimum wage policy in the U.S. As of now, 20 states still have minimum wages at or below the federal level of $7.25 per hour. In states where local wages fall below that threshold, the federal rate generally applies.

The federal minimum wage has not been raised since 2009, and when adjusted for inflation, it is worth less today than it was in the 1960s. That stagnation has left many workers struggling to cover basic expenses, including healthcare costs associated with pregnancy.

According to the researchers, increasing the minimum wage is not just an economic issue—it is a public health intervention with the potential to save lives.

How the Researchers Ensured Accuracy

To strengthen their conclusions, the researchers used advanced statistical methods that accounted for:

Differences between states
Broader economic trends
Political and policy environments
Other social safety-net programs

By comparing states to themselves over time, rather than simply comparing different states to each other, the study aimed to isolate the specific impact of minimum wage changes.

It’s important to note that the study shows a strong association, not definitive proof of causation. However, the consistency of the results across multiple analyses adds weight to the findings.

A Bigger Picture of Maternal Health

This research fits into a larger and growing body of evidence showing that income support policies can improve health outcomes. Previous studies have linked higher minimum wages to better mental health, lower rates of low birth weight, and reduced infant mortality.

What makes this study stand out is its focus on hypertensive disorders, which remain one of the most stubborn and dangerous complications of pregnancy. By highlighting a policy-level factor that can reduce these risks, the research opens new avenues for addressing maternal mortality in the U.S.

What This Means Going Forward

The takeaway is clear: policies designed to improve economic conditions can have real, measurable effects on health, including during pregnancy. As debates around minimum wage laws continue, this study adds an important dimension—one that connects economic justice with maternal safety.

While raising the minimum wage alone won’t solve all maternal health challenges, the evidence suggests it can play a meaningful role in reducing some of the most dangerous pregnancy complications, especially for women in lower-income communities.

Research Reference:
Minimum Wage Policies and Obstetric Disorders in the U.S., American Journal of Preventive Medicine (2026)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2025.108156