Abstract
Conditional cash transfer programs are considered as an effective approach to help countries reduce child mortality and improve maternal health.The purpose of this article was to evaluate the effectiveness of conditional cash transfer in the reduction of child mortality and also examine impact of the program on population health through a case study from Brazil, Bolsa Familia conditional cash transfer program. The article summarizes a significant positive correlation between the program implementation and decline in the infant mortality rate i.e. 9.3 percent decline in infant mortality rate and 24.3 percent decline in the post neonatal mortality rate.The articlefurther highlightsthe importance of health system infrastructure to the success of conditional cash transfer and concludes that a combination of efforts i.e. investment on health infrastructures and proper mechanism for conditional cash transfer to reach poor and vulnerable populations will truly reduce inequality and have a great deal of potential for improved population health. In this paper, I tried to evaluate whether the arguments posed in this article, is persuasive for the hypothesis and/or question. To do this, I critically reviewed the article to see how the study was conducted, what data sources and literature were used in support of the study and its findings. Then I did a literature review of the same topic in other countries to check whether contextual profiles matter for the implementation of such programs. To build on the argument, I developed a couple of causal and descriptive research questions with some arguments that I believe might add on to the study’s strengths. For example at the policy and strategic level we would need strong political will and commitment to integrate such social protection programs into development plans, and at the operational side the need to establish proper mechanism to reach all those to vulnerable populations.
Keywords: Conditional cash transfer, Family health program, Infant health, health inequality, population health.
Argument/Rationale
The hypothesis of the study is that the Bolsa Familia conditional cash transfer program might have connection with improved infant health. If this hypothesis, the study will have great impacts in the reduction of child mortality not only to the targeted regions but also to other emerging and developing economies. For instance, health conditionality of the program in Brazil is likely to increase service utilization i.e. pre-neonatal care services, immunization coverage, and also knowledge awareness about the availability of health care services. If successful, the conditional cash transfer program will help to reach poor and vulnerable populations. This will truly reduce inequality and have a great deal of potential for improved population health. This study is important because it will have tremendous impacts in improving the chances of survival for infants as well as their mothers since they will be able to access quality health care before, during and after giving birth. The child mortality rate is still high in many developing countries since many families cannot afford the required income to access quality health care. Many women tend to give birth at home since they lack money to pay in the maternity during childbearing. Therefore, the success of this study may have the long waited findings that will be utilized by governments and other donor bodies to help in reducing child mortality rate.
New Research Questions/Hypothesis:
- What factors might influence effectiveness of the conditional cash transfer???
- How can such programs be up scaled?
- How do we ensure that cash transfer will not erode the willingness of communities to work/focus on income generation or take action to improve their family situation?
Argument/Rationale
There are many studies that have been conducted in the past in regard to the impacts of the conditional cash transfer program in improving the health of a population in general. Some studies have looked at the impact of the program in improving family diet, while others have focused on reducing the impact of HIV Aids and other chronic diseases. However, there are no studies that have been conducted so far specially on the impact of the program in reducing child mortality rate. While conditional cash transfer seem to be an excellent approach to tackle inequality of health, and improve population health, I believe further studies are needed to examine the quality of health care services provided to population. Therefore, this study will be one of its own kind but it will rely on the findings of other studies that have been conducted on the same areas especially the impact of the program to the health of the society in general. This study will rely heavily on the primary data that will be collected directly for the people who are directly affected by the problem of child morality.
