Effects of the Transnational Network and Neoliberal Restructuring on Infant and Neonatal Mortality Rates

Abstract

Previous research on infant mortality rate (IMR) and neonatal mortality rate (NMR) in less developed countries (LDCs) has emphasized various socio-economic factors explaining an increase or decrease in IMR and NMR. Among those factors, neoliberal restructuring through structural adjustment programs, foreign direct investment, and trade liberalization have an ambiguous effect on IMR and NMR, while transnational network also plays an important role in improving global health conditions. The present paper classifies LDCs into low-income countries and lower-middle-income countries and shows how the socio-economic factors have different effects in these two country-income groups. By conducting a cross-national time-series analysis on IMR and NMR in 63 less developed countries during the periods 1971-2011 (IMR) and 1990-2011 (NMR), this study finds that international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) are effective in promoting IMR and NMR in low-income countries. Both IMF structural adjustment programs and foreign direct investment have harmful effects on IMR and NMR. These findings suggest that women and children’s health in LDCs suffers more from neoliberal restructuring than it benefits from the transnational health network comprised of INGOs. In sum, the findings indicate that the variables affecting IMR and NMR work differently in the low-income and lower-middle-income country-groups.