Public policy and anthropometric outcomes in Cote d'Ivoire

During the 80s, low growth rates in Cote-d'Ivoire were accompanied by an economic adjustment program which included substantial cuts in public spending together with increases in the relative price of foods. If reductions in social spending resulted in lower availability and quality of health care services, then the results suggest that child health (particularly height for age) will have been adversely affected. Food prices have tended to rise in Cote d'Ivoire during the 80s; the authors find that higher food prices have had a significantly detrimental impact on the health of Ivorian children (as measured by weight for height) and adults (as indicated by lower body mass indices). In contrast, the effects of income on health are signifcant but quite small, except in the case of adult women. -from Authors