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Urbanization and child growth failure in Sub-Saharan Africa: a geographical analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Yating Ru

    (Cornell University)

  • Beliyou Haile

    (International Food Policy Research Institute)

  • John I. Carruthers

    (Cornell University)

Abstract

This paper raises a fundamental question about Sub-Saharan Africa: has urbanization there been accompanied by improvements in personal wellbeing? It then proceeds to open an investigation focused on child health—in the form of child growth failure, including (i) stunting; (ii) wasting; and (iii) underweight—that addresses the question. The main contribution of the work is to reconcile an array of data, collected across different spatial scales and over different timeframes, in a manner that enables some preliminary insight into the relationships explored. Evidence derived from the analysis suggests that the wave of urbanization breaking across Sub-Saharan Africa is associated with improvements in wellbeing, a finding that is qualified by need for further research.

Suggested Citation

  • Yating Ru & Beliyou Haile & John I. Carruthers, 2022. "Urbanization and child growth failure in Sub-Saharan Africa: a geographical analysis," Journal of Geographical Systems, Springer, vol. 24(3), pages 441-473, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jgeosy:v:24:y:2022:i:3:d:10.1007_s10109-022-00374-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s10109-022-00374-w
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Economic growth; Development economics; Time geography; Nutrition; Sub-Saharan Africa;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models
    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure
    • R12 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; Interregional Trade (economic geography)

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