Working Paper: NBER ID: w12837
Authors: Rodrigo R. Soares
Abstract: This paper presents and critically discusses a vast array of evidence on the determinants of mortality reductions in developing countries. We argue that increases in life expectancy between 1960 and 2000 were largely independent from improvements in income and nutrition. We then characterize the age and cause of death profile of changes in mortality and ask what can be learned about the determinants of these changes from the international evidence and from country-specific studies. Public health infrastructure, immunization, targeted programs, and the spread of less palpable forms of knowledge all seem to have been important factors. Much of the recent debate has revolved around antagonistic approaches, which are not supported by the evidence discussed here. Finally, the paper suggests that the evolution of health inequality across and within countries is intrinsically related to the process of diffusion of new technologies and to the nature of these new technologies (public or private).
Keywords: mortality reductions; developing countries; life expectancy; public health; health interventions
JEL Codes: I10; I18; J1
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| increases in life expectancy (I14) | mortality reductions (I14) |
| public health infrastructure (H54) | mortality reductions (I14) |
| immunization programs (I18) | mortality reductions (I14) |
| income improvements (D31) | increases in life expectancy (I14) |
| political and institutional factors (P16) | health improvements (I14) |
| diffusion of health technologies (O33) | mortality reductions (I14) |