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Health care expenditure and infant mortality in sub-Saharan Africa

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  • Akinlo, Anthony E.
  • Sulola, Abiola O.

Abstract

The paper examines the impact of public health expenditure on under-five and infant mortality rates in 10 selected sub-Saharan African countries for the period 2000–2008. The results show that government health expenditure has a positive effect on under-five and infant mortality. However, the results show GDP per capita, health aid, hiv prevalence and immunization have significant negative effects on under-five and infant mortality. The results clearly suggest that health care expenditures have not been translated to improvement in under-five mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. The results possibly reflect the high level of corruption and fungibility of public health expenditure in sub-Saharan Africa countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Akinlo, Anthony E. & Sulola, Abiola O., 2019. "Health care expenditure and infant mortality in sub-Saharan Africa," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 41(1), pages 168-178.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jpolmo:v:41:y:2019:i:1:p:168-178
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jpolmod.2018.09.001
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    4. Jaison Chireshe & Matthew K. Ocran, 2020. "Health care expenditure and health outcomes in sub‐Saharan African countries," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 32(3), pages 349-361, September.
    5. Matchaya, Greenwell C., 2020. "Public spending on agriculture in Southern Africa: Sectoral and intra-sectoral impact and policy implications," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 42(6), pages 1228-1247.
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    7. Hilaire Gbodja Houeninvo, 2022. "Effects of health expenditures on infant and child mortality rates: A dynamic panel data analysis of 37 African countries," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 34(2), pages 255-267, June.

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