Type
Text
Type
Dissertation
Advisor
Shandra, John | Schwartz, Michael | Roxborough, Ian | London, Bruce.
Date
2015-12-01
Keywords
Sociology | Child Mortality, Cross-National, Globalization, Non-Governmental Organizations
Department
Department of Sociology.
Language
en_US
Source
This work is sponsored by the Stony Brook University Graduate School in compliance with the requirements for completion of degree.
Identifier
http://hdl.handle.net/11401/76831
Publisher
The Graduate School, Stony Brook University: Stony Brook, NY.
Format
application/pdf
Abstract
Rates of child mortality vary greatly across the globe. The lowest rates are found in developed countries, with the lowest located in Iceland at 3 deaths per 1,000 live births. The highest rates exist in less-developed countries, the highest of which located in Niger at 305 deaths per 1,000 live births. Since 1990, the global rate of child mortality has been declining. However, for many less-developed countries this progress is either slow or stopped. Furthermore, the total number of child deaths in less-developed countries overwhelms that of developed nations, accounting for approximately 99% of global child mortality. The purpose of this dissertation therefore, is to examine what factors may accelerate the reduction of child mortality in less-developed countries where the problem is most severe. To answer this question I use a sample of 83 less-developed countries with data spanning a 20-year period. I analyze these data using generalized least squares models with random-effects. I examine variables of interest in three main areas – economics, the environment, and global civil society. First, I consider the impact of International Monetary Fund structural adjustment loans. In these models, I find that less-developed countries undergoing International Monetary Fund structural adjustment are associated with higher rates of child mortality than less-developed countries not under such loans. Second, I examine the function of access to improved water sources and sanitation facilities. In this regard, I find that greater access to both improved water sources and improved sanitation facilities are associated with lower rates of child mortality in less-developed countries. Third, I consider the role of health international non-governmental organizations. Here, my findings indicate that health international non-governmental organizations located in less-developed countries with higher levels of democracy are associated with lower rates of child mortality more so than health international non-governmental organizations located within less-developed countries with lower levels of democracy. These findings are net of a number of theoretically relevant control variables and robust across all models. | Rates of child mortality vary greatly across the globe. The lowest rates are found in developed countries, with the lowest located in Iceland at 3 deaths per 1,000 live births. The highest rates exist in less-developed countries, the highest of which located in Niger at 305 deaths per 1,000 live births. Since 1990, the global rate of child mortality has been declining. However, for many less-developed countries this progress is either slow or stopped. Furthermore, the total number of child deaths in less-developed countries overwhelms that of developed nations, accounting for approximately 99% of global child mortality. The purpose of this dissertation therefore, is to examine what factors may accelerate the reduction of child mortality in less-developed countries where the problem is most severe. To answer this question I use a sample of 83 less-developed countries with data spanning a 20-year period. I analyze these data using generalized least squares models with random-effects. I examine variables of interest in three main areas – economics, the environment, and global civil society. First, I consider the impact of International Monetary Fund structural adjustment loans. In these models, I find that less-developed countries undergoing International Monetary Fund structural adjustment are associated with higher rates of child mortality than less-developed countries not under such loans. Second, I examine the function of access to improved water sources and sanitation facilities. In this regard, I find that greater access to both improved water sources and improved sanitation facilities are associated with lower rates of child mortality in less-developed countries. Third, I consider the role of health international non-governmental organizations. Here, my findings indicate that health international non-governmental organizations located in less-developed countries with higher levels of democracy are associated with lower rates of child mortality more so than health international non-governmental organizations located within less-developed countries with lower levels of democracy. These findings are net of a number of theoretically relevant control variables and robust across all models. | 132 pages
Recommended Citation
Shircliff, Eric, "The Global Determinants of Health: A Cross-National Study of Child Mortality in Less-Developed Countries, 1985-2005" (2015). Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions). 2707.
https://commons.library.stonybrook.edu/stony-brook-theses-and-dissertations-collection/2707