1
|
Lee Y, Bolongaita S, Sato R, Bump JB, Verguet S. Evolution in key indicators of maternal and child health across the wealth gradient in 41 sub-Saharan African countries, 1986-2019. BMC Med 2024; 22:21. [PMID: 38191392 PMCID: PMC10775589 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-023-03183-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aggregate trends can be useful for summarizing large amounts of information, but this can obscure important distributional aspects. Some population subgroups can be worse off even as averages climb, for example. Distributional information can identify health inequalities, which is essential to understanding their drivers and possible remedies. METHODS Using publicly available Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data from 41 sub-Saharan African countries from 1986 to 2019, we analyzed changes in coverage for eight key maternal and child health indicators: first dose of measles vaccine (MCV1); Diphtheria-Pertussis-Tetanus (DPT) first dose (DPT1); DPT third dose (DPT3); care-seeking for diarrhea, acute respiratory infections (ARI), or fever; skilled birth attendance (SBA); and having four antenatal care (ANC) visits. To evaluate whether coverage diverged or converged over time across the wealth gradient, we computed several dispersion metrics including the coefficient of variation across wealth quintiles. Slopes and 5-year moving averages were computed to identify overall long-term trends. RESULTS Average coverage increased for all quintiles and indicators, although the range and the speed at which they increased varied widely. There were small changes in the wealth-related gap for SBA, ANC, and fever. The wealth-related gap of vaccination-related indicators (DPT1, DPT3, MCV1) decreased over time. Compared to 2017, the wealth-gap between richest and poorest quintiles in 1995 was 7 percentage points larger for ANC and 17 percentage points larger for measles vaccination. CONCLUSIONS Maternal and child health indicators show progress, but the distributional effects show differential evolutions in inequalities. Several reasons may explain why countries had smaller wealth-related gap trends in vaccination-related indicators compared to others. In addition to service delivery differences, we hypothesize that the allocation of development assistance for health, the prioritization of vaccine-preventable diseases on the global agenda, and indirect effects of structural adjustment programs on health system-related indicators might have played a role.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yeeun Lee
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Sarah Bolongaita
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Bergen Center for Ethics and Priority Setting, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ryoko Sato
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Jesse B Bump
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Bergen Center for Ethics and Priority Setting, Bergen, Norway
| | - Stéphane Verguet
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hazlett C, Ramos AP, Smith S. Better individual-level risk models can improve the targeting and life-saving potential of early-mortality interventions. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21706. [PMID: 38066048 PMCID: PMC10709389 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48888-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Infant mortality remains high and uneven in much of sub-Saharan Africa. Even low-cost, highly effective therapies can only save lives in proportion to how successfully they can be targeted to those children who, absent the treatment, would have died. This places great value on maximizing the accuracy of any targeting or means-testing algorithm. Yet, the interventions that countries deploy in hopes of reducing mortality are often targeted based on simple models of wealth or income or a few additional variables. Examining 22 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, we illustrate the use of flexible (machine learning) risk models employing up to 25 generally available pre-birth variables from the Demographic and Health Surveys. Using these models, we construct risk scores such that the 10 percent of the population at highest risk account for 15-30 percent of infant mortality, depending on the country. Successful targeting in these models turned on several variables other than wealth, while models that employ only wealth data perform little or no better than chance. Consequently, employing such data and models to predict high-risk births in the countries studied flexibly could substantially improve the targeting and thus the life-saving potential of existing interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chad Hazlett
- Professor, Department of Political Science and Department of Statistics and Data Science, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA
- PhD Candidate, Department of Statistics and Data Science, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Antonio P Ramos
- Research Scientist, Califonia Center for Population Research, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
- Principal Research Scientist, José Luiz Egydio Setúbal Foundation, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Stephen Smith
- PhD Candidate, Department of Statistics and Data Science, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Li J, Xu M, Liu T, Zhang C. Regional Differences, Dynamic Evolution and Convergence of Public Health Level in China. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:healthcare11101459. [PMID: 37239745 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11101459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
People's health is a necessary condition for the country's prosperity. Under the background of the COVID-19 pandemic and frequent natural disasters, exploring the spatial and temporal distribution, regional differences and convergence of China's provincial public health level is of great significance to promoting the coordinated development of China's regional public health and achieving the strategic goal of a "healthy China". Based on China's provincial panel data from 2009 to 2020, this paper constructs an evaluation index system for China's public health level from five dimensions: the popularization of a healthy life, optimization of health services, improvement of health insurance, construction of a healthy environment, and development of a health industry. In this paper, the entropy method, Dagum Gini coefficient, Kernel density function and spatial econometric model are used to analyze the spatiotemporal distribution, regional differences, dynamic evolution and convergence of China's public health level since the new medical reform. The study found that, first, China's public health level is generally low, structural contradictions are prominent and the construction of a healthy environment has become a shortcoming hindering the improvement of China's public health level since the new medical reform. The public health level of the four major regions showed a spatial distribution pattern of "high in the eastern, low in the northeastern, central and western" areas. Second, the overall Gini coefficient of China's public health level showed a "V-shaped" trend of first decreasing and then rising, but the overall decrease was greater than the increase, among which the regional difference was the main source of regional differences in China's public health level, but its contribution rate showed a downward trend. Third, except for the basic maintenance of a healthy environment, the Kernel density curves of China's public health level and its sub-dimensions have shifted to the right to a certain extent, and there is no polarization phenomenon. Finally, the level of public health in China has a significant spatial correlation. Except for the northeast region, the growth rate of low-level public health provinces in China and the other three major regions is higher than that of high-level public health provinces, showing a certain convergence trend. In addition, the impact of economic development, financial pressure, and urbanization on the convergence of public health levels in the four major regions is significantly heterogeneous.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jixia Li
- School of Government, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Mengzhi Xu
- School of Government, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Tengfei Liu
- School of Business Administration, The Open University of China, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Can Zhang
- School of Government, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Sato R, Bolongaita S, Memirie ST, Harttgen K, De Neve JW, Verguet S. Joint distribution of child mortality and wealth across 30 sub-Saharan African countries over 2000-2019. J Glob Health 2023; 13:04009. [PMID: 36821467 PMCID: PMC9949559 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.13.04009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background While reductions in child mortality have been observed across sub-Saharan African countries in the last 30 years, narrowing the gaps in under-five mortality across socioeconomic groups also requires an understanding of the multiple associations between health and welfare and socioeconomic drivers. We examined the probability density distributions in under-five mortality within countries and joint pathways of under-five mortality and wealth over time. Methods We used 69 Demographic and Health Surveys and 19 Malaria Indicator Surveys from 30 sub-Saharan African countries, with each country having at least two surveys conducted since 2000. We constructed a cross-country wealth index and estimated under-five death prevalence. We examined the pure distribution in under-five mortality prevalence and the joint probability distribution of wealth and under-five mortality prevalence over time, including the area of confidence ellipse which spanned the two dimensions of mortality and wealth and covered 75% of the mass of the joint distribution. Results Most countries experienced decreases in under-five mortality along with increases in wealth over time. However, we observed great variations in the evolution of the joint distributions across countries over time. For instance, the areas of confidence ellipse ranged from 0.178 in Ethiopia (2000) to 1.119 in Angola (2006). The change (over time) in the area of confidence ellipses ranged from 0.010 in Tanzania to 0.844 in Angola between the 2000s and 2010s. The ranking of country performance on under-five mortality varied greatly, depending on whether performance summary indicators were based on disaggregation by wealth or on full non-disaggregated distributions. Conclusions Our analysis points to the relevance of full distributions of health and joint distributions of health and wealth as complementary indicators of distributions of health across socioeconomic status, in assessing country performance on health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryoko Sato
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sarah Bolongaita
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Solomon Tessema Memirie
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Kenneth Harttgen
- Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jan-Walter De Neve
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stéphane Verguet
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Complex Survival System Modeling for Risk Assessment of Infant Mortality Using a Parametric Approach. COMPUTATIONAL AND MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN MEDICINE 2022; 2022:7745628. [PMID: 35495893 PMCID: PMC9042624 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7745628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Pakistan is still one of the five countries contributing to half of the child deaths worldwide and holds a low ratio of infant survival. A high rate of poverty, low level of education, limited health facilities, rural-urban inequalities, and political uncertainty are the main reasons for this condition. Survival models that evaluate the performance of models over simulated and real data set may serve as an effective technique to determine accurate complex systems. The present study proposed an efficient extension of the recent parametric technique for risk assessment of infant mortality to address complex survival systems in the presence of extreme observations. This extended method integrated four distributions with the basic algorithm using a real data set of infant survival without extreme observations. The proposed models are compared with the standard partial least squares-Cox regression (PLS-CoxR), and higher efficiency of these proposed algorithms is observed for handling complex survival time systems for risk assessment. The algorithm is also used to analyze simulated data set for further verification of results. The optimal model revealed that the mother's age, type of residence, wealth index, permission to go to a medical facility, distance to a health facility, and awareness about tuberculosis significantly affected the survival time of infants. The flexibility and continuity of extended parametric methods support the implementation of public health surveillance data effectively for data-oriented evaluation. The findings may support projecting targeted interventions, producing awareness, and implementing policies planned to reduce infant mortality.
Collapse
|
6
|
Fagbamigbe AF, Adeniji FIP, Morakinyo OM. Factors contributing to household wealth inequality in under-five deaths in low- and middle-income countries: decomposition analysis. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:769. [PMID: 35428294 PMCID: PMC9013135 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-12988-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The burden of under-5 deaths is disproportionately high among poor households relative to economically viable ones in developing countries. Despite this, the factors driving this inequality has not been well explored. This study decomposed the contributions of the factors associated with wealth inequalities in under-5 deaths in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). METHODS We analysed data of 856,987 children from 66,495 neighbourhoods across 59 LMICs spanning recent Demographic and Health Surveys (2010-2018). Under-5 mortality was described as deaths among live births within 0 to 59 months of birth and it was treated as a dichotomous variable (dead or alive). The prevalence of under-five deaths was stratified using household wealth status. A Fairlie decomposition analysis was utilized to investigate the relative contribution of the factors associated with household wealth inequality in under-5 deaths at p<0.05. The WHO health equity assessment toolkit Plus was used to assess the differences (D) ratios (R), population attributable risk (PAR), and population attributable fraction (PAF) in household wealth inequalities across the countries. RESULTS The proportion of children from poor households was 45%. The prevalence of under-5 deaths in all samples was 51 per 1000 children, with 60 per 1000 and 44 per 1000 among children from poor and non-poor households (p<0.001). The prevalence of under-5 deaths was higher among children from poor households than those from non-poor households in all countries except in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zambia, Lesotho, Gambia and Sierra Leone, and in the Maldives. Thirty-four of the 59 countries showed significantly higher under-5 deaths in poor households than in non-poor households (pro-non-poor inequality) and no significant pro-poor inequality. Rural-urban contexts, maternal education, neighborhood socioeconomic status, sex of the child, toilet kinds, birth weight and preceding birth intervals, and sources of drinking water are the most significant drivers of pro-poor inequities in under-5 deaths in these countries. CONCLUSIONS Individual-level and neighbourhood-level factors were associated with a high prevalence of under-5 deaths among poor households in LMICs. Interventions in countries should focus on reducing the gap between the poor and the rich as well as improve the education and livelihood of disadvantaged people.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adeniyi Francis Fagbamigbe
- Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Folashayo Ikenna Peter Adeniji
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Oyewale Mayowa Morakinyo
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Yaya S, Zegeye B, Ahinkorah BO, Oladimeji O, Shibre G. Regional variations and socio-economic disparities in neonatal mortality in Angola: a cross-sectional study using demographic and health surveys. Fam Pract 2020; 37:785-792. [PMID: 33247937 DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmaa083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inequalities in neonatal mortality rates (NMRs) in low- and middle-income countries show key disparities at the detriment of disadvantaged population subgroups. There is a lack of scholarly evidence on the extent and reasons for the inequalities in NMRs in Angola. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the socio-economic, place of residence, region and gender inequalities in the NMRs in Angola. METHODS The World Health Organization Health Equity Assessment Toolkit software was used to analyse data from the 2015 Angola Demographic and Health Survey. Five equity stratifiers: subnational regions, education, wealth, residence and sex were used to disaggregate NMR inequality. Absolute and relative inequality measures, namely, difference, population attributable fraction (PAF), population attributable risk (PAR) and ratio, were calculated to provide a broader understanding of the inequalities in NMR. Statistical significance was calculated at corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals. FINDINGS We found significant wealth-driven [PAR = -14.16, 95% corresponding interval (CI): -15.12, -13.19], education-related (PAF = -22.5%, 95% CI: -25.93, -19.23), urban-rural (PAF = -14.5%, 95% CI: -16.38, -12.74), sex-based (PAR = -5.6%, 95% CI: -6.17, -5.10) and subnational regional (PAF = -82.2%, 95% CI: -90.14, -74.41) disparities in NMRs, with higher burden among deprived population subgroups. CONCLUSIONS High NMRs were found among male neonates and those born to mothers with no formal education, poor mothers and those living in rural areas and the Benguela region. Interventions aimed at reducing NMRs, should be designed with specific focus on disadvantaged subpopulations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sanni Yaya
- School of International Development and Global Studies, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.,The George Institute for Global Health, The University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Betregiorgis Zegeye
- HaSET Maternal and Child Health Research Program, Shewarobit Field Office, Shewarobit, Ethiopia
| | - Bright Opoku Ahinkorah
- The Australian Centre for Public and Population Health Research, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Olanrewaju Oladimeji
- Department of Public Health, Walter Sisulu University, Eastern Cape, South Africa.,Center for Community Healthcare, Research and Development, Abuja, Nigeria.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | - Gebretsadik Shibre
- Department of Reproductive, Family and Population Health, School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Banadakoppa Manjappa R, Kar A, Jayanna K, Hallad JS, Cunningham T, Potty R, Mohan HL, Crockett M, Bradley J, Fischer E, Sudarshan H, Blanchard JF, Moses S, Avery L. Potential contributions of an on-site nurse mentoring program on neonatal mortality reductions in rural Karnataka state, South India: evidence from repeat community cross-sectional surveys. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2020; 20:242. [PMID: 32326902 PMCID: PMC7181530 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-020-02942-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We assessed the effects of a nurse mentoring program on neonatal mortality in eight districts in India. METHODS From 2012 to 2015, nurse mentors supported improvements in critical MNCH-related practices among health providers at primary health centres (PHCs) in northern Karnataka, South India. Baseline (n = 5240) and endline (n = 5154) surveys of randomly selected ever-married women were conducted. Neonatal mortality rates (NMR) among the last live-born children in the three years prior to each survey delivered in NM and non-NM-supported facilities were calculated and compared using survival analysis and cumulative hazard function. Mortality rates on days 1, 2-7 and 8-28 post-partum were compared. Cox survival regression analysis measured the adjusted effect on neonatal mortality of delivering in a nurse mentor supported facility. RESULTS Overall, neonatal mortality rate in the three years preceding the baseline and endline surveys was 30.5 (95% CI 24.3-38.4) and 21.6 (95% CI 16.3-28.7) respectively. There was a substantial decline in neonatal mortality between the survey rounds among children delivered in PHCs supported by NM: 29.4 (95% CI 18.1-47.5) vs. 9.3 (95% CI 3.9-22.3) (p = 0.09). No significant declines in neonatal mortality rate were observed among children delivered in other facilities or at home. In regression analysis, among children born in nurse mentor supported facilities, the estimated hazard ratio at endline was significantly lower compared with baseline (HR: 0.23, 95% CI: 0.06-0.82, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION The nurse mentoring program was associated with a substantial reduction in neonatal mortality. Further research is warranted to delineate whether this may be an effective strategy for reducing NMR in resource-poor settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ramesh Banadakoppa Manjappa
- Centre for Global Public Health, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, R070 Med Rehab Bldg, 771 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E 0T6, Canada.
| | - Arin Kar
- Karnataka Health Promotion Trust, Bangalore, India
| | - Krishnamurthy Jayanna
- Centre for Global Public Health, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, R070 Med Rehab Bldg, 771 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E 0T6, Canada
| | | | | | | | - H L Mohan
- Centre for Global Public Health, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, R070 Med Rehab Bldg, 771 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E 0T6, Canada
| | - Maryanne Crockett
- Centre for Global Public Health, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, R070 Med Rehab Bldg, 771 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E 0T6, Canada
| | - Janet Bradley
- Centre for Global Public Health, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, R070 Med Rehab Bldg, 771 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E 0T6, Canada
| | | | | | - James F Blanchard
- Centre for Global Public Health, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, R070 Med Rehab Bldg, 771 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E 0T6, Canada
| | - Stephen Moses
- Centre for Global Public Health, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, R070 Med Rehab Bldg, 771 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E 0T6, Canada
| | - Lisa Avery
- Centre for Global Public Health, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, R070 Med Rehab Bldg, 771 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E 0T6, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Akseer N, Wright J, Tasic H, Everett K, Scudder E, Amsalu R, Boerma T, Bendavid E, Kamali M, Barros AJD, da Silva ICM, Bhutta ZA. Women, children and adolescents in conflict countries: an assessment of inequalities in intervention coverage and survival. BMJ Glob Health 2020; 5:e002214. [PMID: 32133179 PMCID: PMC7042600 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2019-002214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Conflict adversely impacts health and health systems, yet its effect on health inequalities, particularly for women and children, has not been systematically studied. We examined wealth, education and urban/rural residence inequalities for child mortality and essential reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health interventions between conflict and non-conflict low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods We carried out a time-series multicountry ecological study using data for 137 LMICs between 1990 and 2017, as defined by the 2019 World Bank classification. The data set covers approximately 3.8 million surveyed mothers (15-49 years) and 1.1 million children under 5 years including newborns (<1 month), young children (1-59 months) and school-aged children and adolescents (5-14 years). Outcomes include annual maternal and child mortality rates and coverage (%) of family planning services, 1+antenatal care visit, skilled attendant at birth (SBA), exclusive breast feeding (0-5 months), early initiation of breast feeding (within 1 hour), neonatal protection against tetanus, newborn postnatal care within 2 days, 3 doses of diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus vaccine, measles vaccination, and careseeking for pneumonia and diarrhoea. Results Conflict countries had consistently higher maternal and child mortality rates than non-conflict countries since 1990 and these gaps persist despite rates continually declining for both groups. Access to essential reproductive and maternal health services for poorer, less educated and rural-based families was several folds worse in conflict versus non-conflict countries. Conclusions Inequalities in coverage of reproductive/maternal health and child vaccine interventions are significantly worse in conflict-affected countries. Efforts to protect maternal and child health interventions in conflict settings should target the most disadvantaged families including the poorest, least educated and those living in rural areas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Akseer
- Centre for Global Child Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - James Wright
- Centre for Global Child Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hana Tasic
- Centre for Global Child Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Karl Everett
- Centre for Global Child Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elaine Scudder
- Save the Children USA, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Ribka Amsalu
- Save the Children USA, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Ties Boerma
- Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Eran Bendavid
- Centers for Health Policy, Primary Care and Outcomes Research, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Mahdis Kamali
- Centre for Global Child Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Aluisio J D Barros
- International Centre for Equity in Health, Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | | | - Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta
- Centre for Global Child Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Cha S, Jin Y. Have inequalities in all-cause and cause-specific child mortality between countries declined across the world? Int J Equity Health 2019; 19:1. [PMID: 31892330 PMCID: PMC6938619 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-019-1102-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Comparing the distribution of all cause or cause-specific child mortality in countries by income and its progress over time has not been rigorously monitored, and hence remains unknown. We therefore aimed to analyze child mortality disparities between countries with respect to income level and progression for the period 2000-2015, and further explored the convergence of unequal income levels across the globe. METHODS Four types of measures were used to assess the degree of inequality across countries: difference and ratio of child mortality rate, the concentration index, and the Erreygers index. To assess the longitudinal trend of unequal child mortality rate by wealth ranking, hierarchical mixed effect analysis was used to examine any significant changes in the slope of under-5 child mortality rate by GDP per capita between 2000 and 2015. RESULTS All four measures reveal significant inequalities across the countries by income level. Compared with children in the least deprived socioeconomic quintile, the mortality rate for children in the most deprived socioeconomic quintile was nearly 20.7 times higher (95% Confidence Interval: 20.5-20.8) in 2000, and 12.2 times (95% CI: 12.1-12.3) higher in 2015. Globally, the relative and absolute inequality of child mortality between the first and fifth quintiles have declined over time in all diseases, but was more pronounced for infectious diseases (pneumonia, diarrhea, measles, and meningitis). In 2000, post-neonatal children in the first quintile had 105.3 times (95% CI: 100.8-110.0) and 216.3 times (95% CI: 202.5-231.2) higher risks of pneumonia- and diarrhea-specific child mortality than children in the fifth quintile. In 2015, the corresponding rate ratios had decreased to 59.3 (95% CI: 56.5-62.1) and 101.9 (95% CI: 94.3-110.0) times. However, compared with non-communicable disease, infectious diseases still show a far more severe disparity between income quintile. Mixed effect analysis demonstrates the convergence of under-5 mortality in 194 countries across income levels. CONCLUSION Grand convergence in child mortality, particularly in post neonatal children, suggests that the global community has witnessed success to some extent in controlling infectious diseases. To our knowledge, this study is the first to assess worldwide inequalities in cause-specific child mortality and its time trend by wealth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seungman Cha
- Department of Global Development and Entrepreneurship, Graduate School of Global Development and Entrepreneurship, Handong Global University, Pohang, 37554, South Korea.,Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Disease, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Yan Jin
- Department of Microbiology, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Dongdaero 123, Gyeongju, Republic of Korea, 38066.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Van Malderen C, Amouzou A, Barros AJD, Masquelier B, Van Oyen H, Speybroeck N. Socioeconomic factors contributing to under-five mortality in sub-Saharan Africa: a decomposition analysis. BMC Public Health 2019; 19:760. [PMID: 31200681 PMCID: PMC6570834 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-7111-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In sub-Saharan Africa, socioeconomic factors such as place of residence, mother’s educational level, or household wealth, are strongly associated with risk factors of under-five mortality (U5M) such as health behavior or exposure to diseases and injuries. The aim of the study was to assess the relative contribution of four known socioeconomic factors to the variability in U5M in sub-Saharan countries. Methods The study was based on birth histories from the Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in 32 sub-Saharan countries in 2010–2016. The relative contribution of sex of the child, place of residence, mother’s educational level, and household wealth to the variability in U5M was assessed using a regression-based decomposition of a Gini-type index. Results The Gini index – measuring the variability in U5M related to the four socioeconomic factors – varied from 0.006 (95%CI: 0.001–0.010) in Liberia 2013 to 0.034 (95%CI: 0.029–0.039) in Côte d’Ivoire 2011/12. The main contributors to the Gini index (with a relative contribution higher than 25%) were different across countries: mother’s educational level in 13 countries, sex of the child in 12 countries, household wealth in 11 countries, and place of residence in 8 countries (in some countries, more than one main contributor was identified). Conclusions Factors related to socioeconomic status exert varied effects on the variability in U5M in sub-Saharan African countries. The findings provide evidence in support of prioritizing intersectoral interventions aiming at improving child survival in all subgroups of a population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carine Van Malderen
- Institute of Health and Society (IRSS), Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Agbessi Amouzou
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | | | - Bruno Masquelier
- Centre de Recherche en Démographie, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.,Institut National d'Etudes Démographiques (INED), Paris, France
| | - Herman Van Oyen
- Department of Public Health and Surveillance, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Public Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Niko Speybroeck
- Institute of Health and Society (IRSS), Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Mejía-Guevara I, Zuo W, Bendavid E, Li N, Tuljapurkar S. Age distribution, trends, and forecasts of under-5 mortality in 31 sub-Saharan African countries: A modeling study. PLoS Med 2019; 16:e1002757. [PMID: 30861006 PMCID: PMC6413894 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1002757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the sharp decline in global under-5 deaths since 1990, uneven progress has been achieved across and within countries. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for child mortality were met only by a few countries. Valid concerns exist as to whether the region would meet new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for under-5 mortality. We therefore examine further sources of variation by assessing age patterns, trends, and forecasts of mortality rates. METHODS AND FINDINGS Data came from 106 nationally representative Demographic and Health Surveys (DHSs) with full birth histories from 31 SSA countries from 1990 to 2017 (a total of 524 country-years of data). We assessed the distribution of age at death through the following new demographic analyses. First, we used a direct method and full birth histories to estimate under-5 mortality rates (U5MRs) on a monthly basis. Second, we smoothed raw estimates of death rates by age and time by using a two-dimensional P-Spline approach. Third, a variant of the Lee-Carter (LC) model, designed for populations with limited data, was used to fit and forecast age profiles of mortality. We used mortality estimates from the United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) to adjust, validate, and minimize the risk of bias in survival, truncation, and recall in mortality estimation. Our mortality model revealed substantive declines of death rates at every age in most countries but with notable differences in the age patterns over time. U5MRs declined from 3.3% (annual rate of reduction [ARR] 0.1%) in Lesotho to 76.4% (ARR 5.2%) in Malawi, and the pace of decline was faster on average (ARR 3.2%) than that observed for infant (IMRs) (ARR 2.7%) and neonatal (NMRs) (ARR 2.0%) mortality rates. We predict that 5 countries (Kenya, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda) are on track to achieve the under-5 sustainable development target by 2030 (25 deaths per 1,000 live births), but only Rwanda and Tanzania would meet both the neonatal (12 deaths per 1,000 live births) and under-5 targets simultaneously. Our predicted NMRs and U5MRs were in line with those estimated by the UN IGME by 2030 and 2050 (they overlapped in 27/31 countries for NMRs and 22 for U5MRs) and by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) by 2030 (26/31 and 23/31, respectively). This study has a number of limitations, including poor data quality issues that reflected bias in the report of births and deaths, preventing reliable estimates and predictions from a few countries. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this study is the first to combine full birth histories and mortality estimates from external reliable sources to model age patterns of under-5 mortality across time in SSA. We demonstrate that countries with a rapid pace of mortality reduction (ARR ≥ 3.2%) across ages would be more likely to achieve the SDG mortality targets. However, the lower pace of neonatal mortality reduction would prevent most countries from achieving those targets: 2 countries would reach them by 2030, 13 between 2030 and 2050, and 13 after 2050.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iván Mejía-Guevara
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
- Center for Population Health Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Wenyun Zuo
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Eran Bendavid
- Center for Population Health Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
- Primary Care and Population Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Nan Li
- United Nations Population Division, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Shripad Tuljapurkar
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Harper S. Comment on the equity impact of women’s community groups on inequalities in neonatal mortality. Int J Epidemiol 2019; 48:182-185. [DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyy216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sam Harper
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Biadgilign S, Ayenew HY, Shumetie A, Chitekwe S, Tolla A, Haile D, Gebreyesus SH, Deribew A, Gebre B. Good governance, public health expenditures, urbanization and child undernutrition Nexus in Ethiopia: an ecological analysis. BMC Health Serv Res 2019; 19:40. [PMID: 30646917 PMCID: PMC6334413 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-018-3822-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Child undernutrition remains the major public health problem in low and middle-income countries including Ethiopia. The effects of good governance, urbanization and public health expenditure on childhood undernutrition are not well studied in developing countries. The objective of the study is to examine the relationship between quality of governance, public health expenditures, urbanization and child undernutrition in Ethiopia. Methods This is pooled data analysis with ecological design. We obtained data on childhood undernutrition from the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys (EDHS) that were conducted in 2000, 2005, 2011 and 2016. Additionally, data on quality of governance for Ethiopia were extracted from the World Governance Indicators (WGI) and public health spending and urbanization were obtained from the World Development Indicators and United Nations’ World Population Prospects (WPP) respectively. Univariate and multivariate analysis were done to assess the relationship between governance, public health expenditure and urbanization with childhood undernutrition. Result Government effectiveness (adjusted odd ratio (AOR) = 20.7; p = 0.046), regulatory quality (AOR = 0.0077; p = 0.026) and control of corruption (AOR = 0.0019; p = 0.000) were associated with stunting. Similarly, government effectiveness (AOR = 72.2; p = 0.007), regulatory quality (AOR = 0.0015; p = 0.004) and control of corruption (AOR = 0.0005; p = 0.000) were associated with underweight. None of the governance indicators were associated with wasting. On the other hand, there is no statistically significant association observed between public health spending and urbanization with childhood undernutrition. However, other socio-demographic variables play a significant effect on reducing of child undernutrition. Conclusion This study indicates that good governance in the country plays a significant role for reducing childhood undernutrition along with other socio-demographic factors. Concerned bodies should focus on improving governance and producing a quality policy and at the same time monitor its implementation and adherence. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12913-018-3822-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sibhatu Biadgilign
- Public Health Nutrition Research Consultant, P.O. Box 24414, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
| | | | - Arega Shumetie
- Department of Economics, Haramaya University of Ethiopia, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
| | - Stanley Chitekwe
- United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Nepal Country Office UN House, New York, USA
| | - Assaye Tolla
- United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Nigeria Country Office, UN House, Plot 617/618 Central Area District Diplomatic Zone, Garki, P M, Abuja, B 2851, Nigeria
| | - Demewoz Haile
- School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Seifu Hagos Gebreyesus
- School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Amare Deribew
- St. Paul Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.,Nutrition International (former Micronutrient Initiative), Ottawa, Ethiopia
| | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Lu SSM, Stewart Williams J, Sommar JN. Inequalities in early childhood mortality in Myanmar - Association between parents' socioeconomic status and early childhood mortality. Glob Health Action 2019; 12:1603516. [PMID: 31066344 PMCID: PMC6507915 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2019.1603516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite global achievements in reducing early childhood mortality, disparities remain. There have been empirical studies of inequalities conducted in low- and middle-income countries. However, there have been no epidemiological studies on socioeconomic inequalities and early childhood survival in Myanmar. OBJECTIVE To estimate associations between two measures of parental socioeconomic status - household wealth and education - and age-specific early childhood mortality in Myanmar. METHODS Using cross-sectional data obtained from the Myanmar Demographic Health Survey (2015-2016), univariate and multiple logistic regressions were performed to investigate associations between household wealth and highest attained parental education, and under-5, neonatal, post-neonatal and child mortality. Data for 10,081 children born to 5,932 married women (aged 15-49 years) 10 years prior to the survey, were analysed. RESULTS Mortality during the first five years was associated with household wealth. In multiple logistic models, wealth was protective for post-neonatal mortality. After adjusting for individual proximate determinants, the odds of post-neonatal mortality in the richest households were 85% lower (95% CI: 50-96%) than in the poorest households. However, significant association was not found between wealth and neonatal mortality. Parental education was important for early childhood mortality; the highest benefit from parental education was for child mortality in the one- to five-year age bracket. After adjusting for proximate determinants, children with a higher educated parent had 95% (95% CI 77-99%) lower odds of death in this age group compared with children whose parents' highest educational attainment was at primary level. The association between parental education and neonatal mortality was not significant. CONCLUSIONS In Myanmar, household wealth and parental education are important for childhood survival before five years of age. This study identified nuanced age-related differences in associations. Health policy must take socioeconomic determinants into account in order to address unfair inequalities in early childhood mortality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sai San Moon Lu
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Medicine Mandalay, Mandalay, Myanmar
- Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jennifer Stewart Williams
- Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Research Centre for Generational Health and Ageing, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Johan Nilsson Sommar
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Kim H, Novakovic U, Muntaner C, Hawkes MT. A critical assessment of the ideological underpinnings of current practice in global health and their historical origins. Glob Health Action 2019; 12:1651017. [PMID: 31431145 PMCID: PMC6713144 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2019.1651017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The current approach to global health has significantly contributed to improving it, as evidenced by the progress made toward the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). However, the health gains achieved are often highly unequitable, and the current approach is expected to be insufficient to meet the future health equity challenges. There is an urgent need to re-think and expand the scope of research and programmatic strategies. Objective: This paper aims to assess the ideological underpinnings of the currently dominant norms in global health, with the goal of highlighting the research and programmatic areas that are marginalized and warrant greater efforts in order to resolve persistent health inequity and achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Methods: We have conducted a critical review of the literature that traces the historical origins of global health to the period between the mid-19th century and the end of the 20th century. Results: Critical review of the historical origins of global health reveals a set of dominant norms in global health that are ideological in character, and profoundly shape the current practice. We identified key manifestations of the ideological underpinnings as 1) Democratic deficit, 2) Depoliticization of the discourse, 3) Marginalization of the scholarship that interrogates the relations of power. Conclusion: Examination of the dominant norms that shape the foundation of our knowledge and action in global health is required to solve persistent health inequity challenges and meet the SDGs. Inversion of the key manifestations of the dominant norms can serve as guiding principles to elaborate alternative frameworks that have the theoretical and programmatic potential for a fundamental rather than an incremental change in the practice of global health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hani Kim
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Global Health, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Uros Novakovic
- Department of Interdisciplinary Research, Office OU, Toronto, Canada
| | - Carles Muntaner
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Hone T, Macinko J, Millett C. Revisiting Alma-Ata: what is the role of primary health care in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals? Lancet 2018; 392:1461-1472. [PMID: 30343860 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(18)31829-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Revised: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are now steering the global health and development agendas. Notably, the SDGs contain no mention of primary health care, reflecting the disappointing implementation of the Alma-Ata declaration of 1978 over the past four decades. The draft Astana declaration (Alma-Ata 2·0), released in June, 2018, restates the key principles of primary health care and renews these as driving forces for achieving the SDGs, emphasising universal health coverage. We use accumulating evidence to show that countries that reoriente their health systems towards primary care are better placed to achieve the SDGs than those with hospital-focused systems or low investment in health. We then argue that an even bolder approach, which fully embraces the Alma-Ata vision of primary health care, could deliver substantially greater SDG progress, by addressing the wider determinants of health, promoting equity and social justice throughout society, empowering communities, and being a catalyst for advancing and amplifying universal health coverage and synergies among SDGs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Hone
- Public Health Policy Evaluation Unit, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - James Macinko
- Department of Community Health Sciences and Department of Health Policy and Management, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Christopher Millett
- Public Health Policy Evaluation Unit, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK; Center for Epidemiological Studies in Health and Nutrition, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Brereton C, Turagabeci A, Wilson D, Sly PD, Jagals P. Children's Environmental Health Indicators for Pacific Island Countries. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:ijerph15071403. [PMID: 29970862 PMCID: PMC6069095 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15071403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2018] [Revised: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Healthy environments support the wellbeing of children and the environment thus play a cardinal role in the future of Pacific Island Countries (PICs). Children are more vulnerable and at risk to environmental hazards than adults because they breathe, drink, and eat much more relative to body weight, resulting in greater exposures in the different environments in which children find themselves every day. We examine the role that children’s environmental health indicators (CEHI) can play for PICs to highlight priorities and we prioritise actions to improve children’s environmental health and thus achieve their ‘Healthy Islands’ vision. We conducted a systematic search of relevant documented and publicly available Pacific Island Country information on children’s environmental health indicators using the general Internet, as well as databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, relevant UN agencies, as well as regional databases. Information on CEHI was available—mainly in grey literature—but not specifically aimed at PICs. Likewise, similar observations were made for peer-reviewed literature. From this review, we compiled summaries and a framework to propose the requirements as well as provide a foundation for the development of CEHI for PICs. CEHI development for PICs should ideally be a multi-sectoral endeavour within each PIC as well as for the region. This can be achieved through public, private, and academic sector initiatives to draw in all sectors of government as well as the relevant UN agencies and regional PIC-representative organisations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claire Brereton
- Children's Health and Environment Programme, Centre for Children's Health Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia.
| | - Amelia Turagabeci
- School of Public Health and Primary Care, Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji.
| | - Donald Wilson
- School of Public Health and Primary Care, Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji.
| | - Peter D Sly
- Children's Health and Environment Programme, Centre for Children's Health Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia.
| | - Paul Jagals
- Children's Health and Environment Programme, Centre for Children's Health Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia.
- School of Public Health and Primary Care, Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Chao F, You D, Pedersen J, Hug L, Alkema L. National and regional under-5 mortality rate by economic status for low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic assessment. LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH 2018; 6:e535-e547. [PMID: 29653627 PMCID: PMC5905403 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(18)30059-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2017] [Revised: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background The progress to achieve the fourth Millennium Development Goal in reducing mortality rate in children younger than 5 years since 1990 has been remarkable. However, work remains to be done in the Sustainable Development Goal era. Estimates of under-5 mortality rates at the national level can hide disparities within countries. We assessed disparities in under-5 mortality rates by household economic status in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Method We estimated country-year-specific under-5 mortality rates by wealth quintile on the basis of household wealth indices for 137 LMICs from 1990 to 2016, using a Bayesian statistical model. We estimated the association between quintile-specific and national-level under-5 mortality rates. We assessed the levels and trends of absolute and relative disparity in under-5 mortality rate between the poorest and richest quintiles, and among all quintiles. Findings In 2016, for all LMICs (excluding China), the aggregated under-5 mortality rate was 64·6 (90% uncertainty interval [UI] 61·1–70·1) deaths per 1000 livebirths in the poorest households (first quintile), 31·3 (29·5–34·2) deaths per 1000 livebirths in the richest households (fifth quintile), and in between those outcomes for the middle quintiles. Between 1990 and 2016, the largest absolute decline in under-5 mortality rate occurred in the two poorest quintiles: 77·6 (90% UI 71·2–82·6) deaths per 1000 livebirths in the poorest quintile and 77·9 (72·0–82·2) deaths per 1000 livebirths in the second poorest quintile. The difference in under-5 mortality rate between the poorest and richest quintiles decreased significantly by 38·8 (90% UI 32·9–43·8) deaths per 1000 livebirths between 1990 and 2016. The poorest to richest under-5 mortality rate ratio, however, remained similar (2·03 [90% UI 1·94–2·11] in 1990, 1·99 [1·91–2·08] in 2000, and 2·06 [1·92–2·20] in 2016). During 1990–2016, around half of the total under-5 deaths occurred in the poorest two quintiles (48·5% in 1990 and 2000, 49·5% in 2016) and less than a third were in the richest two quintiles (30·4% in 1990, 30·5% in 2000, 29·9% in 2016). For all regions, differences in the under-5 mortality rate between the first and fifth quintiles decreased significantly, ranging from 20·6 (90% UI 15·9–25·1) deaths per 1000 livebirths in eastern Europe and central Asia to 59·5 (48·5–70·4) deaths per 1000 livebirths in south Asia. In 2016, the ratios of under-5 mortality rate in the first quintile to under-5 mortality rate in the fifth quintile were significantly above 2·00 in two regions, with 2·49 (90% UI 2·15–2·87) in east Asia and Pacific (excluding China) and 2·41 (2·05–2·80) in south Asia. Eastern and southern Africa had the smallest ratio in 2016 at 1·62 (90% UI 1·48–1·76). Our model suggested that the expected ratio of under-5 mortality rate in the first quintile to under-5 mortality rate in the fifth quintile increases as national-level under-5 mortality rate decreases. Interpretation For all LMICs (excluding China) combined, the absolute disparities in under-5 mortality rate between the poorest and richest households have narrowed significantly since 1990, whereas the relative differences have remained stable. To further narrow the rich-and-poor gap in under-5 mortality rate on the relative scale, targeted interventions that focus on the poorest populations are needed. Funding National University of Singapore, UN Children's Fund, United States Agency for International Development, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fengqing Chao
- Institute of Policy Studies, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Danzhen You
- Division of Data, Research, and Policy, United Nations Children's Fund, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Lucia Hug
- Division of Data, Research, and Policy, United Nations Children's Fund, New York, NY, USA
| | - Leontine Alkema
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Wehrmeister FC, da Silva ICM, Barros AJD, Victora CG. Is governance, gross domestic product, inequality, population size or country surface area associated with coverage and equity of health interventions? Ecological analyses of cross-sectional surveys from 80 countries. BMJ Glob Health 2017; 2:e000437. [PMID: 29225951 PMCID: PMC5717925 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2017-000437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Revised: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To assess associations between national characteristics, including governance indicators, with a proxy for universal health coverage in reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH). Design Ecological analysis based on data from national standardised cross-sectional surveys. Setting Low-income and middle-income countries with a Demographic and Health Survey or a Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey since 2005. Participants 1 246 710 mothers and 2 129 212 children from 80 national surveys. Exposures of interest Gross domestic product (GDP), country surface area, population, Gini index and six governance indicators (control of corruption, political stability and absence of violence, government effectiveness, regulatory quality, rule of law, and voice and accountability). Main outcomes Levels and inequality in the composite coverage index (CCI), a weighted average of eight RMNCH interventions. Relative and absolute inequalities were measured through the concentration index (CIX) and slope index of inequality (SII) for CCI, respectively. Results The average values of CCI (70.5% (SD=13.3)), CIX (5.3 (SD=5.1)) and mean slope index (19.8 (SD=14.7)) were calculated. In the unadjusted analysis, all governance variables and GDP were positively associated with the CCI and negatively with inequalities. Country surface showed inverse associations with both inequality indices. After adjustment, among the governance indicators, only political stability and absence of violence was directly related to CCI (β=6.3; 95% CI 3.6 to 9.1; p<0.001) and inversely associated with relative (CIX; β=−1.4; 95% CI −2.4 to −0.4; p=0.007) and absolute (SII; β=−5.3; 95% CI –8.9 to −1.7; p=0.005) inequalities. The strongest associations with governance indicators were found in the poorest wealth quintile. Similar patterns were observed for GDP. Country surface area was inversely related to inequalities on CCI. Conclusions Levels and equity in RMNCH interventions are positively associated with political stability and absence of violence, and with GDP, and inversely associated with country surface area.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fernando C Wehrmeister
- International Center for Equity in Health, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | | | - Aluisio J D Barros
- International Center for Equity in Health, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Cesar G Victora
- International Center for Equity in Health, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Trends in health inequalities in developing countries. LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH 2017; 5:e371-e372. [DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(17)30080-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
|
22
|
Tabutin D, Masquelier B. Tendances et inégalités de mortalité de 1990 à 2015 dans les pays à revenu faible et intermédiaire. POPULATION 2017. [DOI: 10.3917/popu.1702.0227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
|
23
|
Wang H, Bhutta ZA, Coates MM, Coggeshall M, Dandona L, Diallo K, Franca EB, Fraser M, Fullman N, Gething PW, Hay SI, Kinfu Y, Kita M, Kulikoff XR, Larson HJ, Liang J, Liang X, Lim SS, Lind M, Lopez AD, Lozano R, Mensah GA, Mikesell JB, Mokdad AH, Mooney MD, Naghavi M, Nguyen G, Rakovac I, Salomon JA, Silpakit N, Sligar A, Sorensen RJD, Vos T, Zhu J, Abajobir AA, Abate KH, Abbas KM, Abd-Allah F, Abdulle AM, Abera SF, Aboyans V, Abraham B, Abubakar I, Abu-Raddad LJ, Abu-Rmeileh NME, Abyu GY, Achoki T, Adebiyi AO, Adedeji IA, Adelekan AL, Adou AK, Agarwal A, Ajala ON, Akinyemiju TF, Akseer N, Alam K, Alam NKM, Alasfoor D, Aldridge RW, Alegretti MA, Alemu ZA, Ali R, Alkerwi A, Alla F, Al-Raddadi R, Alsharif U, Altirkawi KA, Martin EA, Alvis-Guzman N, Amare AT, Amberbir A, Amegah AK, Ameh EA, Ammar W, Amrock SM, Andersen HH, Anderson GM, Antonio CAT, Ärnlöv J, Artaman A, Asayesh H, Asghar RJ, Assadi R, Atique S, Avokpaho EFGA, Awasthi A, Quintanilla BPA, Bacha U, Badawi A, Balakrishnan K, Banerjee A, Banigbe BF, Barac A, Barber RM, Barker-Collo SL, Bärnighausen T, Barrero LH, Bayou TA, Bayou YT, Bazargan-Hejazi S, Beardsley J, Bedi N, Bekele T, Bell ML, Bello AK, Bennett DA, Bensenor IM, Berhane A, Bernabé E, Betsu BD, Beyene AS, Bhatt S, Biadgilign S, Bikbov B, Birlik SM, Bisanzio D, Bjertness E, Blore JD, Bourne RRA, Brainin M, Brazinova A, Breitborde NJK, Brown A, Buckle GC, Burch M, Butt ZA, Campos-Nonato IR, Campuzano JC, Cárdenas R, Carpenter DO, Carrero JJ, Carter A, Casey DC, Castañeda-Orjuela CA, Rivas JC, Castro RE, Catalá-López F, Cercy K, Chang HY, Chang JC, Chibueze CE, Chisumpa VH, Choi JYJ, Chowdhury R, Christopher DJ, Ciobanu LG, Colquhoun SM, Cooper C, Cornaby L, Damtew SA, Danawi H, Dandona R, das Neves J, Davis AC, de Jager P, De Leo D, Degenhardt L, Deribe K, Deribew A, Jarlais DCD, deVeber GA, Dharmaratne SD, Dhillon PK, Ding EL, Doshi PP, Doyle KE, Duan L, Dubey M, Ebrahimi H, Ellingsen CL, Elyazar I, Endries AY, Ermakov SP, Eshrati B, Esteghamati A, Faraon EJA, Farid TA, Farinha CSES, Faro A, Farvid MS, Farzadfar F, Fereshtehnejad SM, Fernandes JC, Fischer F, Fitchett JRA, Foigt N, Franklin RC, Friedman J, Fürst T, Gambashidze K, Gamkrelidze A, Ganguly P, Gebre T, Gebrehiwot TT, Gebremedhin AT, Gebru AA, Geleijnse JM, Gessner BD, Ginawi IAM, Giref AZ, Gishu MD, Gomez-Dantes H, Gona P, Goodridge A, Gopalani SV, Goto A, Gouda HN, Gugnani HC, Guo Y, Gupta R, Gupta R, Gupta V, Gyawali B, Haagsma JA, Hafezi-Nejad N, Haile D, Hailu AD, Hailu GB, Hamadeh RR, Hamidi S, Hancock J, Handal AJ, Hankey GJ, Harb HL, Harikrishnan S, Harun KM, Havmoeller R, Hay RJ, Heredia-Pi IB, Hoek HW, Horino M, Horita N, Hosgood HD, Hotez PJ, Hoy DG, Hsairi M, Hu G, Huang C, Huang JJ, Huang H, Huiart L, Huynh C, Iburg KM, Idrisov BT, Innos K, Jacobsen KH, Jahanmehr N, Javanbakht M, Jayatilleke AU, Jee SH, Jeemon P, Jha V, Jiang G, Jiang Y, Jibat T, Jin Y, Jonas JB, Kabir Z, Kalkonde Y, Kamal R, Kan H, Kang G, Karch A, Karema CK, Kasaeian A, Kaul A, Kawakami N, Kayibanda JF, Kazanjan K, Keiyoro PN, Kemp AH, Kengne AP, Keren A, Kereselidze M, Kesavachandran CN, Khader YS, Khalil IA, Khan AR, Khan EA, Khang YH, Khonelidze I, Khubchandani J, Kim CI, Kim D, Kim YJ, Kissoon N, Kivipelto M, Knibbs LD, Kokubo Y, Kosen S, Koul PA, Koyanagi A, Defo BK, Bicer BK, Kudom AA, Kumar GA, Kutz MJ, Kyu HH, Lal DK, Lalloo R, Lam H, Lam JO, Lansingh VC, Larsson A, Leigh J, Leung R, Li Y, Li Y, Lindsay MP, Liu PY, Liu S, Lloyd BK, Lo WD, Logroscino G, Low N, Lunevicius R, Lyons RA, Ma S, Razek HMAE, Razek MMAE, Mahdavi M, Majdan M, Majeed A, Malekzadeh R, Mapoma CC, Marcenes W, Martinez-Raga J, Marzan MB, Masiye F, McGrath JJ, Meaney PA, Mehari A, Mehndiratta MM, Mekonnen AB, Melaku YA, Memiah P, Memish ZA, Mendoza W, Meretoja A, Meretoja TJ, Mhimbira FA, Miller TR, Mills EJ, Mirarefin M, Misganaw A, Mock CN, Mohammad KA, Mohammadi A, Mohammed S, Monasta L, Hernandez JCM, Montico M, Moore AR, Moradi-Lakeh M, Morawska L, Mori R, Mueller UO, Murphy GAV, Murthy S, Nachega JB, Naheed A, Naidoo KS, Naldi L, Nand D, Nangia V, Neupane S, Newton CR, Newton JN, Ng M, Ngalesoni FN, Nguhiu P, Nguyen QL, Nisar MI, Pete PMN, Norheim OF, Norman RE, Ogbo FA, Oh IH, Ojelabi FA, Olivares PR, Olusanya BO, Olusanya JO, Oren E, Ota E, PA M, Park EK, Park HY, Parsaeian M, Caicedo AJP, Patten SB, Pedro JM, Pereira DM, Perico N, Pesudovs K, Petzold M, Phillips MR, Pillay JD, Pishgar F, Polinder S, Pope D, Popova S, Pourmalek F, Qorbani M, Rabiee RHS, Rafay A, Rahimi-Movaghar V, Rahman M, Rahman MHU, Rahman SU, Rai RK, Raju M, Ram U, Rana SM, Ranabhat CL, Rao P, Refaat AH, Remuzzi G, Resnikoff S, Reynolds A, Rojas-Rueda D, Ronfani L, Roshandel G, Roth GA, Roy A, Ruhago GM, Sagar R, Saleh MM, Sanabria JR, Sanchez-Niño MD, Santos IS, Santos JV, Sarmiento-Suarez R, Sartorius B, Satpathy M, Savic M, Sawhney M, Schneider IJC, Schöttker B, Schwebel DC, Seedat S, Sepanlou SG, Servan-Mori EE, Setegn T, Shahraz S, Shaikh MA, Shakh-Nazarova M, Sharma R, She J, Sheikhbahaei S, Shen J, Sheth KN, Shibuya K, Shin HH, Shin MJ, Shiri R, Shuie I, Sigfusdottir ID, Silva DAS, Silverberg J, Simard EP, Sindi S, Singh A, Singh JA, Singh OP, Singh PK, Singh V, Soriano JB, Soshnikov S, Sposato LA, Sreeramareddy CT, Stathopoulou V, Steel N, Stroumpoulis K, Sturua L, Sunguya BF, Swaminathan S, Sykes BL, Szoeke CEI, Tabarés-Seisdedos R, Tavakkoli M, Taye B, Tedla BA, Tefera WM, Tekle T, Shifa GT, Terkawi AS, Tesfay FH, Tessema GA, Thapa K, Thomson AJ, Thorne-Lyman AL, Tobe-Gai R, Tonelli M, Topor-Madry R, Topouzis F, Tran BX, Troeger C, Truelsen T, Dimbuene ZT, Tura AK, Tyrovolas S, Ukwaja KN, Uneke CJ, Uthman OA, Vaezghasemi M, Vasankari T, Vasconcelos AMN, Venketasubramanian N, Verma RK, Violante FS, Vladimirov SK, Vlassov VV, Vollset SE, Wang L, Wang Y, Weichenthal S, Weiderpass E, Weintraub RG, Weiss DJ, Werdecker A, Westerman R, Widdowson MA, Wijeratne T, Williams TN, Wiysonge CS, Wolfe CDA, Wolfe I, Won S, Wubshet M, Xiao Q, Xu G, Yadav AK, Yakob B, Yano Y, Yaseri M, Ye P, Yebyo HG, Yip P, Yonemoto N, Yoon SJ, Younis MZ, Yu C, Zaidi Z, Zaki MES, Zeeb H, Zhang H, Zhao Y, Zheng Y, Zhou M, Zodpey S, Murray CJL. Global, regional, national, and selected subnational levels of stillbirths, neonatal, infant, and under-5 mortality, 1980-2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015. Lancet 2016; 388:1725-1774. [PMID: 27733285 PMCID: PMC5224696 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(16)31575-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 515] [Impact Index Per Article: 64.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2016] [Revised: 08/06/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Established in 2000, Millennium Development Goal 4 (MDG4) catalysed extraordinary political, financial, and social commitments to reduce under-5 mortality by two-thirds between 1990 and 2015. At the country level, the pace of progress in improving child survival has varied markedly, highlighting a crucial need to further examine potential drivers of accelerated or slowed decreases in child mortality. The Global Burden of Disease 2015 Study (GBD 2015) provides an analytical framework to comprehensively assess these trends for under-5 mortality, age-specific and cause-specific mortality among children under 5 years, and stillbirths by geography over time. METHODS Drawing from analytical approaches developed and refined in previous iterations of the GBD study, we generated updated estimates of child mortality by age group (neonatal, post-neonatal, ages 1-4 years, and under 5) for 195 countries and territories and selected subnational geographies, from 1980-2015. We also estimated numbers and rates of stillbirths for these geographies and years. Gaussian process regression with data source adjustments for sampling and non-sampling bias was applied to synthesise input data for under-5 mortality for each geography. Age-specific mortality estimates were generated through a two-stage age-sex splitting process, and stillbirth estimates were produced with a mixed-effects model, which accounted for variable stillbirth definitions and data source-specific biases. For GBD 2015, we did a series of novel analyses to systematically quantify the drivers of trends in child mortality across geographies. First, we assessed observed and expected levels and annualised rates of decrease for under-5 mortality and stillbirths as they related to the Soci-demographic Index (SDI). Second, we examined the ratio of recorded and expected levels of child mortality, on the basis of SDI, across geographies, as well as differences in recorded and expected annualised rates of change for under-5 mortality. Third, we analysed levels and cause compositions of under-5 mortality, across time and geographies, as they related to rising SDI. Finally, we decomposed the changes in under-5 mortality to changes in SDI at the global level, as well as changes in leading causes of under-5 deaths for countries and territories. We documented each step of the GBD 2015 child mortality estimation process, as well as data sources, in accordance with the Guidelines for Accurate and Transparent Health Estimates Reporting (GATHER). FINDINGS Globally, 5·8 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 5·7-6·0) children younger than 5 years died in 2015, representing a 52·0% (95% UI 50·7-53·3) decrease in the number of under-5 deaths since 1990. Neonatal deaths and stillbirths fell at a slower pace since 1990, decreasing by 42·4% (41·3-43·6) to 2·6 million (2·6-2·7) neonatal deaths and 47·0% (35·1-57·0) to 2·1 million (1·8-2·5) stillbirths in 2015. Between 1990 and 2015, global under-5 mortality decreased at an annualised rate of decrease of 3·0% (2·6-3·3), falling short of the 4·4% annualised rate of decrease required to achieve MDG4. During this time, 58 countries met or exceeded the pace of progress required to meet MDG4. Between 2000, the year MDG4 was formally enacted, and 2015, 28 additional countries that did not achieve the 4·4% rate of decrease from 1990 met the MDG4 pace of decrease. However, absolute levels of under-5 mortality remained high in many countries, with 11 countries still recording rates exceeding 100 per 1000 livebirths in 2015. Marked decreases in under-5 deaths due to a number of communicable diseases, including lower respiratory infections, diarrhoeal diseases, measles, and malaria, accounted for much of the progress in lowering overall under-5 mortality in low-income countries. Compared with gains achieved for infectious diseases and nutritional deficiencies, the persisting toll of neonatal conditions and congenital anomalies on child survival became evident, especially in low-income and low-middle-income countries. We found sizeable heterogeneities in comparing observed and expected rates of under-5 mortality, as well as differences in observed and expected rates of change for under-5 mortality. At the global level, we recorded a divergence in observed and expected levels of under-5 mortality starting in 2000, with the observed trend falling much faster than what was expected based on SDI through 2015. Between 2000 and 2015, the world recorded 10·3 million fewer under-5 deaths than expected on the basis of improving SDI alone. INTERPRETATION Gains in child survival have been large, widespread, and in many places in the world, faster than what was anticipated based on improving levels of development. Yet some countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, still had high rates of under-5 mortality in 2015. Unless these countries are able to accelerate reductions in child deaths at an extraordinary pace, their achievement of proposed SDG targets is unlikely. Improving the evidence base on drivers that might hasten the pace of progress for child survival, ranging from cost-effective intervention packages to innovative financing mechanisms, is vital to charting the pathways for ultimately ending preventable child deaths by 2030. FUNDING Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Collapse
|
24
|
Affiliation(s)
| | - Bhanu Williams
- Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, London, UK; Department of Paediatrics, London North West Hospitals National Health Service Trust, London HA1 3UJ, UK.
| | - Dan Magnus
- Division of Paediatric Emergency Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Anu Goenka
- University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Neena Modi
- Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, London, UK; Imperial College London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Wise PH, Darmstadt GL. Strategic governance: Addressing neonatal mortality in situations of political instability and weak governance. Semin Perinatol 2015; 39:387-92. [PMID: 26166561 DOI: 10.1053/j.semperi.2015.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Neonatal mortality is increasingly concentrated globally in situations of conflict and political instability. In 1991, countries with high levels of political instability accounted for approximately 10% of all neonatal deaths worldwide; in 2013, this figure had grown to 31%. This has generated a "grand divergence" between those countries showing progress in neonatal mortality reduction compared to those lagging behind. We present new analyses demonstrating associations of neonatal mortality with political instability (r = 0.55) and poor governance (r = 0.70). However, heterogeneity in these relationships suggests that progress is possible in addressing neonatal mortality even in the midst of political instability and poor governance. In order to address neonatal mortality more effectively in such situations, we must better understand how specific elements of "strategic governance"--the minimal conditions of political stability and governance required for health service implementation--can be leveraged for successful introduction of specific health services. Thus, a more strategic approach to policy and program implementation in situations of conflict and political instability could lead to major accelerations in neonatal mortality reduction globally. However, this will require new cross-disciplinary collaborations among public health professionals, political scientists, and country actors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul H Wise
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA; Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Stanford University; March of Dimes Center for Prematurity Research, Stanford University, Stanford, CA.
| | - Gary L Darmstadt
- Department of Pediatrics, and March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| |
Collapse
|