Estimating the effect of socio-economic factors on infant mortality rates in Latin America between 2000 and 2019: a panel data analysis.

Publisher: Elsevier Country of Publication: Netherlands NLM ID: 0376507 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1476-5616 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00333506 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Public Health Subsets: MEDLINE

Publication: 2003- : Amsterdam : Elsevier
Original Publication: London ; New York : Academic Press

Infant Mortality* ; Economic Factors*; Infant ; Child ; Humans ; Female ; Latin America/epidemiology ; Educational Status ; Maternal Mortality ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Mortality

Objectives: Infant mortality is a crucial indicator of socio-economic development, reflecting the conditions in which children are born and raised. Despite notable reductions in Latin America, infant mortality rates remain relatively high compared to other regions worldwide. By understanding the socio-economic factors that influence infant mortality, we not only uncover immediate causes of infant deaths but also shed light on broader socio-economic and healthcare disparities contributing to the burden of disease. This study analyzes the impact of socio-economic factors on infant mortality rates in Latin America from 2000 to 2019, estimating the speed and magnitude of the response of infant mortality rates to changes in specific socio-economic factors.
Study Design: Longitudinal panel study.
Methods: Panel data regression models were used to examine the influence of specific socio-economic factors on infant mortality rates in Latin America. Additionally, impulse response functions estimated by local projections were used to estimate the speed and magnitude of the impact of socio-economic factors on infant mortality rates.
Results: The results highlight the importance of factors such as healthcare expenditure, female literacy, public expenditures on education, maternal mortality, physician density, total fertility rate, and tuberculosis incidence as significant determinants of infant mortality rates in the region.
Conclusion: This study adds to the existing literature by offering empirical evidence on the association between these socio-economic factors and infant mortality in Latin America. It also provides a foundation for future research that investigates specific cases within Latin America and examines the variations of these socio-economic factors within those countries.
(Copyright © 2023 The Royal Society for Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Keywords: Infant mortality; Latin America; Panel data analysis; Socio-economic factors

Date Created: 20240120 Date Completed: 20240219 Latest Revision: 20240219

20240219

10.1016/j.puhe.2023.12.018

38244352