Role of cash in conditional cash transfer programmes for child health, growth, and development: an analysis of Mexico's Oportunidades

Abstract

Background-Many governments around the world have implemented conditional cash transfer (CCT) programs with the goal of improving options for poor families through interventions in health, nutrition and education. Families enrolled in CCT programs receive cash in exchange for complying with "conditionalities" -preventive health requirements and nutrition supplementation, education and monitoring designed to improve health outcomes and promote positive behavior change. A great challenge in evaluating the effectiveness of CCT programs has been disaggregating the effects of the cash transfer component from that of the conditionalities.

Income transfer policies and the impacts on the immunization of children: the Bolsa Família Program

“…In Oportunidades, healthcare and educational components are strongly enforced. This program has efficient monitoring as it has developed a modern information system that allows for follow-up on the visits of beneficiaries 10 . Every two months, families receive a cash transfer, though only if the conditionalities are met.…”

“…Every two months, families receive a cash transfer, though only if the conditionalities are met. According to Fernaud et al 10 only 1% of households are denied the cash transfer for non-compliance.…”

Experimental Evidence on Credit Constraints

“…The survey included questions on basic individual characteristics and household assets. Moreover, an asset index was created using principal component analysis to proxy data on consumption, as in Fernald, Gertler, and Neufeld (2008). We retain the first principal component and include data related to radio, television, refrigerators, washers, cars, computers, telephone land lines, cellular phones, and Internet.…”

Conditional Cash Transfer Programmes in Latin America and the Caribbean: Coverage and Investment Trends

“…Section II identifies the various programmes in the region's countries, documents the growth seen in the number of programmes over time and discusses which institutions are responsible for the individual programmes and their implementation. Pinto (2014); Gertler (2004) ;Fernald, Gertler and Neufeld (2008); Attanasio, Trias and Vera-Hernández, (2009); Rasella and others (2013);and Cecchini and Veras Soares (2014). Colafranceschi and Vigorito (2013);and Amarante and Brun (2016).…”