THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MACROECONOMIC FACTORS AND CHILDHEALTH: AN ECONOMETRIC ANALYSIS

Abstract

The aim of this study is to reveal the relationship between macroeconomic factors and child health and also whether the changes in macroeconomic factors affect child health in Turkey. In this study, real GDP, unemployment, inflation, under-one-mortality and under-five mortality rates between 1974 and 2015 in Turkey were examined using the ARDL (Autoregressive Distributed Lag) bounds testing approach. As a result of the study, it is concluded that economic growth in terms of real GDP has an adverse effect on child health. Also, it is concluded that economic crises have positive effects on children's health as well as negative effects. This study investigated the relationship between macro economy and child health. The results of the study provide evidence that economic growth may adversely affect child health. This study also provides some clues for policymakers to protect child health from negative effects of economic crises. It is suggested that maternity leaves and financial benefits should be increased to protect child health from the negative effects of economic fluctuation. It is also important to increase the food support to poor families in times of economic crisis.