Researchers discover what saves babies' lives. It's not medical, it's money
4 days ago
- #healthcare access
- #cash transfers
- #child mortality
- Cash transfers of $1,000 to families in rural Kenya reduced infant mortality by nearly half (48%) and under-5 mortality by 45%.
- The study, conducted by GiveDirectly, involved over 10,000 low-income households across 653 villages in Western Kenya.
- Cash enabled families to access healthcare more easily, especially for hospital deliveries, which increased by 45% among recipients.
- The benefits were most significant for families living within 30 minutes of a healthcare facility with physicians.
- Cash also improved food security, reducing child hunger by 44%, and allowed pregnant women to work less, benefiting maternal and child health.
- The findings highlight the importance of combining cash transfers with accessible healthcare systems to maximize impact on child mortality.