How Many Infants May Have Died in Low-Income and Middle-Income Countries in 2020 Due to the Economic Contraction Accompanying the COVID-19 Pandemic? Mortality Projections Based on Forecasted Declines in Economic Growth

While COVID-19 has a relatively small direct impact on infant mortality, the pandemic is expected to indirectly increase mortality of this vulnerable group in low-income and middle-income countries through its effects on the economy and health system performance. Previous studies projected indirect mortality by modelling how hypothesized disruptions in health services will affect health outcomes. We provide alternative projections, relying on modelling the relationship between aggregate income shocks and mortality. The findings underscore the vulnerability of infants to the negative income shocks such as those imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. While efforts towards prevention and treatment of COVID-19 remain paramount, the global community should also strengthen social safety nets and assure continuity of essential health services.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Shapira, Gil, de Walque, Damien, Friedman, Jed
Format: Journal Article biblioteca
Published: BMJ Publishing Group, Ltd. 2021-08
Subjects:CORONAVIRUS, COVID-19, PANDEMIC IMPACT, INFANT MORTALITY, DEMOGRAPHIC AND HEALTH SURVEY, REGRESSION MODEL, ECONOMIC DOWNTURN, EOCNOMIC SHOCK, HOUSEHOLD INCOME,
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10986/36613
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