Abstract
BackgroundWe sought to examine the relationship between child specific health aid (CHA) and burden of disease. Based on existing evidence, we hypothesized that foreign aid for child health would not be proportional to burden of disease.MethodsIn order to examine CHA and burden of disease, we obtained estimates of these parameters from established sources. Estimates of disability adjusted life years (DALYs) in children (0–5 years) were obtained from the World Health Organization for 2000 and 2012. The 10 most burdensome disease categories in each continent, excluding high-income countries, were identified for study. Descriptions of all foreign aid commitments between 1996 and 2009 were obtained from AidData, and an algorithm to designate the target diseases of the commitments was constructed. Data were examined in scatterplots for trends.ResultsThe most burdensome childhood diseases varied by continent. In all continents, newborn diseases, vaccine-preventable diseases (lower respiratory diseases, measles, meningitis, tetanus, and pertussis), and diarrheal diseases ranked within the four most burdensome diseases. Infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV were also among the ten most burdensome diseases in sub-Saharan Africa, and non-communicable diseases were associated with much of the burden in the other continents. CHA grew from $7.4 billion in 1996 to $17.7 billion in 2009 for our study diseases. Diarrheal diseases and malnutrition received the most CHA as well as the most CHA per DALY. CHA directed at HIV increased dramatically over our study period, from $227,000 in 1996 to $3.4 billion in 2008. Little aid was directed at injuries such as drowning, car accidents, and fires, as well as complex medical diseases such as leukemia and endocrine disorders.ConclusionCHA has grown significantly over the last two decades. There is no clear relationship between CHA and burden of disease. This report provides a description of foreign aid for child health, and hopes to inform policy and decision-making regarding foreign aid.
Highlights
We sought to examine the relationship between child specific health aid (CHA) and burden of disease
This analysis focuses on child health aid (CHA), and our goal is to provide an accurate and complete depiction of CHA in relation to morbidity
Little aid was directed at conditions of physical injury such as drowning ($1 million in 2009), car accidents, and fires ($28 million) as well as complex medical diseases such as leukemia and endocrine disorders
Summary
We sought to examine the relationship between child specific health aid (CHA) and burden of disease. The World Bank, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) all collect and synthesize data on health aid, and funding patterns have been the focus of multiple citations. This analysis focuses on child health aid (CHA), and our goal is to provide an accurate and complete depiction of CHA in relation to morbidity. Previous research has highlighted the variation in childhood mortality across countries and continents, and understanding current CHA allocation is an important
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
