Role of literacy and education in global health: A study of India

Background: Globally, literacy rates are a national predictor of infant mortality rates, under-5 mortality rates, and GNP—all of which indicate and predict national health status. Local literacy and education programs provide a sustainable and empowering approach to the elimination of global socioeconomic health disparities, especially when these opportunities are provided for women in developing countries. Literacy status and education are strong predictors for national maternal health behavior and child mortality. Methods: Using data from the 2005 India Human Development Survey, descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and stratification were used to compare literacy and education status with health indicators and socioeconomic variables at the individual and household level among men and women in India. Results: Adult female education was found to be twice as impactful upon the reduction of child death as adult male education in the household. Women had a 50% reduced risk of losing a child after exposure to one year of education. Significant correlations were found (p < 0.001) between literacy and education, health behaviors, poverty status, caste, and reduced diarrhea incidence in the household. Conclusions: Female literacy and education fosters a woman's ability to create a healthy household environment for her family, utilize pediatric health services, obtain income, and raise children who live long and healthy enough to attend school and pass on the same standards of health and education to their own families. Therefore, local education and literacy promotion for women and children may be the most promising and sustainable tool in 21st century global health initiative.