Cash transfer programs have differential effects on health: A review of the literature from low and middle-income countries

Cooper, Jan; Benmarhnia, Tarik; Koski, Alissa; King, Nicholas B.

doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.112806

Cited by 42 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 55 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Given the multisectoral impact of extreme poverty in healthcare and other social determinants of health [ 10 ], it would be unavoidable for humanitarian actors to operate comprehensive financing models such as conditional or unconditional cash transfer programs. However, the design and implementation of cash transfer programs need careful consideration given the heterogeneous and still uncertain impact on diverse operational contexts in low- and middle-income countries [ 12 , 27 , 28 ]. In particular, context-specific financing models are required in the conflict-affected regions, where pursuit of a livelihood is often limited by security concerns.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Digital and Economic Determinants of Healthcare in the Crisis-Affected Population in Afghanistan: Access to Mobile Phone and Socioeconomic Barriers

Noh

Kim

et al. 2021

Healthcare

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Despite recent progress in Afghanistan’s health system from the support of international donors and NGOs, protracted conflicts combined with a series of natural disasters have continued to present substantial health risks. Extreme poverty has still aggravated social determinants of health and financial barriers to healthcare. Little is known about the context-specific factors influencing access to healthcare in the crisis-affected population. Using a subset of data from ‘Whole of Afghanistan Assessment (WoAA) 2019’, this study analyzed 31,343 households’ data, which was collected between 17 July and 19 September 2019 throughout all 34 provinces in Afghanistan. The outcome measured was access to care in the healthcare facility, and multivariable binary logistic regression models were used to identify the specific factors associated with access to healthcare. Of 31,343 households exposed to complex emergencies in Afghanistan, 10,057 (32.1%) could not access healthcare facilities when one was needed in last three months. The access to healthcare was significantly associated with displacement status, economic factors such as employment status or total monthly income, and the distance to healthcare facilities. Significant increase in healthcare access was associated with factors related to communication and access to information, such as awareness of humanitarian assistance availability and mobile phone with a SIM card, while disability in cognitive function, such as memory or concentration, was associated with poorer healthcare access. Our findings indicate that the crisis-affected population remains vulnerable in access to healthcare, despite the recent improvements in health sectors. Digital determinants, such as access to mobile phone, need to be addressed along with the healthcare barriers related to poverty and household vulnerabilities. The innovative humanitarian financing system using mobile communication and cash transfer programs would be considerable for the conflict-affected but digitally connected population in Afghanistan.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Digital and Economic Determinants of Healthcare in the Crisis-Affected Population in Afghanistan: Access to Mobile Phone and Socioeconomic Barriers

Noh

Kim

et al. 2021

Healthcare

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Reviewing five randomized controlled trials, Pega and associates (92) found that unconditional cash transfers reduced by 37% the likelihood of having any illness (95% CI 0.57-0.93). A recent narrative review of health effects of cash-transfer programs in LMICs found substantial heterogeneity on child and adult health but little on sexual and reproductive health (27).…”

Section: Cash Transfers and Health In Low-and Middle-income Countriesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cash Transfers and Health

Sun

Huang

Hudson

et al. 2021

Annu. Rev. Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Financial resources are known to affect health outcomes. Many types of social policies and programs, including social assistance and social insurance, have been implemented around the world to increase financial resources. We refer to these as cash transfers. In this article, we discuss theory and evidence on whether, how, for whom, and to what extent purposeful cash transfers improve health. Evidence suggests that cash transfers produce positive health effects, but there are many complexities and variations in the outcomes. Continuing research and policy innovation—for example, universal basic income and universal Child Development Accounts—are likely to be productive. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Public Health, Volume 42 is April 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

show abstract

“…As COVID-19 is negatively affecting the economic situation of many families in Kenya, especially those who work in the informal sector and/or were already in precarious economic situations prior to the outbreak, innovative approaches such as cash transfers are necessary. In various emergencies around the world and in Kenya, conditional and unconditional cash transfer programs have provided an economic safety net and positively impacted health during difficult periods such as the one we face [ 104 , 105 , 106 ]. Although the government has instituted social protection schemes in the form of cash transfers to cushion vulnerable families, the need is greater.…”

Section: Policy and Program Strategies To Reorient Nurturing Carementioning

confidence: 99%

Reorienting Nurturing Care for Early Childhood Development during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Kenya: A Review

Shumba

Maina

Mbuthia

et al. 2020

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In Kenya, millions of children have limited access to nurturing care. With the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, it is anticipated that vulnerable children will bear the biggest brunt of the direct and indirect impacts of the pandemic. This review aimed to deepen understanding of the effects of COVID-19 on nurturing care from conception to four years of age, a period where the care of children is often delivered through caregivers or other informal platforms. The review has drawn upon the empirical evidence from previous pandemics and epidemics, and anecdotal and emerging evidence from the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Multifactorial impacts fall into five key domains: direct health; health and nutrition systems; economic protection; social and child protection; and child development and early learning. The review proposes program and policy strategies to guide the reorientation of nurturing care, prevent the detrimental effects associated with deteriorating nurturing care environments, and support the optimal development of the youngest and most vulnerable children. These include the provision of cash transfers and essential supplies for vulnerable households and strengthening of community-based platforms for nurturing care. Further research on COVID-19 and the ability of children’s ecology to provide nurturing care is needed, as is further testing of new ideas.

show abstract

Cash transfer programs have differential effects on health: A review of the literature from low and middle-income countries

Cited by 42 publications

References 55 publications

Digital and Economic Determinants of Healthcare in the Crisis-Affected Population in Afghanistan: Access to Mobile Phone and Socioeconomic Barriers

Digital and Economic Determinants of Healthcare in the Crisis-Affected Population in Afghanistan: Access to Mobile Phone and Socioeconomic Barriers

Cash Transfers and Health

Reorienting Nurturing Care for Early Childhood Development during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Kenya: A Review

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About