Regina Fuchs
Education or wealth: which matters more for reducing child mortality in developing countries?
International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis|Austrian Academy of Sciences|Vienna Institute of Demography|Vienna University of Economics and Business
article systematically addresses mothers education fundamental determinant child mortality developing countriesthe main proposition setting right policy priorities developing countries requires distinguishing role education material resources influencing child survivaldespite tendency regard education economic resources interchangeable indicators socioeconomic status determining relative importance respect child health important policies enhancing one quite differentwe begin comprehensive review literature addressing different causal mechanisms maternal education impacts health offspringwe include better maternal health increased healthspecific knowledge adoption nontraditional behaviours general female empowerment addition effects greater economic resources gained consequence educationwe use recent demographic health survey dhs data developing countries examine associations survival youngest child first year life mothers educational attainment dhs indicator household wealth descriptively using multivariate modelsthe results show vast majority countries virtually models mothers education matters infant survival household wealthour findings challenge frequently held views suggest reorientation global health policies directly address increasing female education primary policy option improving child health