Public health expenditure and child mortality in Southern Africa

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically assess the effect of public health expenditure on child mortality in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region in comparison to the developing world as a whole and the region of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Design/methodology/approach This study used panel data extracted from the World Development Indicators database for the period 2000–2013 for 98 developing countries including 15 SADC countries. A dynamic panel data model of child mortality was estimated using the system generalized method of moments technique. Findings Results indicate that public health expenditure has a statistically significant effect on reducing infant and under-five mortality rates in the developing world, and that this effect is strongest in the SADC. Immunization and female literacy contributed significantly to the prevention of deaths of infants and children under five in developing countries. In the region of SSA, improved water sources and the reduction in the prevalence of HIV were found to be effective in reducing childhood mortality. There was little evidence for the benefit of higher GDP per capita. Practical implications The findings of this study suggest four policy areas which should be prioritized in public health spending to achieve better health among children: ensuring that females have better access to education, providing immunizations, intensifying interventions against the spread of HIV/AIDS, and improving water and sanitation infrastructure. Originality/value This study, which shows that the benefits of public health expenditure may be augmented by regional collaborations like the SADC, is one of the first to explore regional heterogeneity in the effectiveness of public health expenditure for the improvement of children’s health across the developing world.

The Impact of Public, Private, and Out-of-Pocket Health Expenditures on Under-Five Mortality in Malaysia

“…The GDP per-capita was found to be positively significant, which indicates that a 1% increase in GDP per-capita leads to about a 2.5% increase in the under-five mortality rate in Malaysia. Almost all the relevant literature reviewed in this study reported either a negative relationship [ 18 , 25 ] or no significance [ 8 , 9 , 11 , 13 ]. Except for Kulkarni [ 15 ], whereby a positive, significant relationship was revealed between GDP per-capita and infant mortality rate in an analysis among BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa).…”

“…Specifically, in Nigeria [ 8 ], it was found that increases in the urban population decrease infant mortality rates, while per-capita income has no significance. Similarly, public health expenditure was also found to be effective in reducing the infant mortality rate among West African countries [ 11 ] and the under-five mortality rate in developing countries [ 12 , 13 ]. In addition, immunization, female literacy, improved water sources, and good sanitation are among other variables that hold a vital role in reducing child mortality rates.…”

Socio-economic factors affecting high infant and child mortality rates in selected African countries: does globalisation play any role?

“…Among the extant literature, some studies (see, for example [ 3 , 10 , 19 , 43 , 61 – 64 , 66 ]) investigated the effects of public health expenditure on infant and child mortality rates in the context of African regions These studies found that public health expenditure significantly reduced infant and child mortality rates in African regions. Conversely, Akinlo and Sulola [ 3 ] revealed that government health expenditure increased infant and child mortality in sub-Saharan Africa due to the high level of corruption of public health expenditure.…”

“…Some studies (see [ 2 , 3 , 10 , 28 , 33 , 43 , 62 – 64 , 78 ]) have attempted to investigate the determinants of infant and child mortality. However, unanimous, inclusive, and convincing policy outcomes are not properly perceived, especially for the mentioned African countries (see section- 3.1).…”

Effects of COVID-19 Outbreak on Persons with Chronic Health Conditions in Anglophone West Africa: A Qualitative Study Involving Key Stakeholders

“…Ironically sub-Sahara Africa, where West Africa is located, has gaps in health financing, infrastructure, and qualified health labor. 12 These problems, coupled with dwindling foreign donations to health care and poor domestic health financing, which is demonstrated in the inability of nations to adhere to the 2001 Abuja declaration, 13 were already impacting health delivery to the general public and severely affecting the continuous treatment of chronic disease patients. The outbreak has worsened the already difficult situation for chronic disease patients.…”