Impact of Cash Transfers to Pregnant Women on Reducing Infant Mortality: New Research Findings

A groundbreaking study conducted by Associate Professor Dennis Egger from the University of Oxford, in collaboration with researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, demonstrates that unconditional cash transfers provided to pregnant women in rural Kenya significantly diminish infant and child mortality rates. The research, documented as a working paper by the National Bureau of Economic Research, examined the effects of a large-scale cash assistance program run by the NGO GiveDirectly. Participants received a one-time, unconditional transfer of US $1,000—roughly 75% of typical household annual income—which was delivered around the time of childbirth.

The study evaluated data covering over 100,000 children across more than 650 villages, illustrating that this financial support reduced infant mortality by nearly half (49%) and under-five child mortality by 45%. It highlights that providing expectant mothers with financial security can lead to substantial health benefits, especially in low-income settings.

The observed reduction in early childhood deaths is primarily due to decreases in preventable conditions, facilitated by better access to obstetric care, improved nutrition, and increased ability for mothers to rest during pregnancy and postpartum. The findings suggest that improving healthcare access alongside financial support enhances these positive outcomes.

Overall, the research emphasizes the vital role of financial stability during pregnancy and the postpartum period in safeguarding infant health, suggesting that well-designed, unconditional cash transfer programs could be a cost-effective strategy to save lives in resource-limited environments.

Commenting on the findings, Associate Professor Egger mentioned, "Although these cash transfers were not designed specifically for mortality reduction, our results indicate they could be an impactful and economical approach to decreasing infant and child deaths."

This evidence underscores the importance of integrating financial support with healthcare interventions to promote early childhood survival, especially in resource-constrained communities.

Source: medicalxpress.com