Do Rising Food Prices Worsen Child Survival in India? Analysis of the District Level Household Survey

• In Event: 366 - Open Refereed Roundtable Session II
  In Refereed Roundtable: B. Table 26. Sociology of Health

Abstract

Background: Despite India’s rapid economic growth, rates of child malnutrition and mortality remain paradoxically high. We tested the hypothesis that food price inflation is contributing to India’s slow progress in improving childhood survival.
Methods: Using data from Rounds 2 (2002-2004) and 3 (2007-2008) of the Indian District Level Household Survey, we calculated neonatal, infant, and under-five mortality rates in 373 districts. We merged these data with district-level food price data from the National Sample Survey Office Rural Price dataset. Multi-variate models were used to assess the relationship between changes in food prices and mortality outcomes, stratified into X less deprived states and eight deprived states (‘Empowered Action Groups’) and corrected for multiple comparisons.
Results: Between 2002-2004 and 2007-2008, there were significant price increases in overall food items by 16.9%. Each 1% increase in food prices was associated with a 0.48% increase in NNMR and a 0.35% increase in IMR. These adverse associations were concentrated in deprived states and particularly strong for high protein foods, including meat and dairy products.
Conclusions: Rising food prices in India are inhibiting progress towards improving childhood nutrition and survival.

Authors

• Jasmine Fledderjohann, Oxford University

• Sukumar Vellakkal, Public Health Foundation of India

• Zaky Khan, Public Health Foundation of India

• David Stuckler, Oxford University