Income elasticity of child health was analyzed both between countries and within countries by using two different ecological cross sectional data sets. Elasticity shows how child mortality/morbidity will be changed proportionally when GDP/GNP per capita as a proxy for income changes proportionally. Statistical analysis of the first data set from both high and low income 173 countries shows that child mortality among low income countries are statistically more inelastic than that of middle or high income countries. This implies that different mechanisms operate between low income countries and middle and high income countries. The second data set contains child mortality/morbidity data by wealth quintile and quintile share of GNP from 30 developing countries. Its analysis finds that child mortality and morbidity in the poorest quintile are also more inelastic significantly compared to wealthier quintiles. This result also suggests that the poorest in low-income countries fail to gain similar proportional change as the richer quintiles attain. These results suggest that the poorest people in low income countries are caught in double ill-health traps. Further research is needed on the distinct mechanisms underlying the relationship between child health among poor versus wealthier quintiles, as well as interventions which focus on the poorest.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Child Health, Poverty
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.