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The effects of an epidemic on prenatal investments, childhood mortality and health of surviving children

Author

Listed:
  • Patricia I. Ritter

    (University of Connecticut)

  • Ricardo A. Sanchez

    (Barcelona School of Economics)

Abstract

The potential death toll from an epidemic is larger than the number of deaths directly associated with the infection. In this study, we find that prenatal exposure to a cholera epidemic in Peru increased childhood mortality and that surviving children were more likely to be underweight and to suffer from diarrhea. We further find that a significant part of this mortality happened during the first day of life, and that prenatal exposure to cholera decreased prenatal care and institutional deliveries, suggesting that the mortality and possibly other longer-term effects were partially driven by a reduction in prenatal investments.

Suggested Citation

  • Patricia I. Ritter & Ricardo A. Sanchez, 2023. "The effects of an epidemic on prenatal investments, childhood mortality and health of surviving children," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 36(1), pages 505-544, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jopoec:v:36:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1007_s00148-022-00886-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s00148-022-00886-1
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Childhood mortality; Parental investments; Epidemics; In utero; Prenatal care; Institutional deliveries; Infectious diseases; Diarrheal diseases; Cholera;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • J10 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - General
    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General

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