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Does universalization of health work? Evidence from health systems restructuring and maternal and child health in Brazil

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  • Bhalotra, Sonia
  • Rocha, Rudi
  • R. Soares, Rodigo

Abstract

We investigate restructuring of the health system in Brazil motivated to operationalize universal health coverage. Using administrative data from multiple sources and an event study approach that exploits the staggered rollout of programmatic changes across municipalities, we find large reductions in maternal, foetal, neonatal and postneonatal mortality, and fertility. We document increased prenatal care visits, hospital births and other maternal and child hospitalization, which suggest that the survival gains were supply-driven. We find no improvement in the quality of births, which may be explained by endogenous shifts in the composition of births towards higher-risk births.

Suggested Citation

  • Bhalotra, Sonia & Rocha, Rudi & R. Soares, Rodigo, 2016. "Does universalization of health work? Evidence from health systems restructuring and maternal and child health in Brazil," ISER Working Paper Series 2016-16, Institute for Social and Economic Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:ese:iserwp:2016-16
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    Cited by:

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    3. Sonia Bhalotra & Martin Karlsson & Therese Nilsson & Nina Schwarz, 2022. "Infant Health, Cognitive Performance, and Earnings: Evidence from Inception of the Welfare State in Sweden," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 104(6), pages 1138-1156, November.
    4. Charris, Carlos & Branco, Danyelle & Carrillo, Bladimir, 2024. "Economic shocks and infant health: Evidence from a trade reform in Brazil," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).

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