Effects of Food Prices on Under-five and Infant Mortality Rates in Sub-Saharan Africa

Authors

  • Akinlo, Anthony E
  • Odusanya, Ibrahim A

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61538/ajer.v4i1.459

Abstract

Over the years, the rising food prices coupled with the prevailing food insecurity in the entire Sub-Saharan Africa region are perceived to be having debilitating effects on nutrition and health outcomes. This paper therefore examines the impact of rising food prices on under-five and infant mortality rates in 31 selected sub-Saharan African countries for the period 2001-2012 using the fixed effects, random effects, difference GMM and the system GMM. The results show that rising food prices exert significant adverse effects on both infant and under-five mortality rates in Sub-Saharan Africa. The paper suggests the need for increased government’s efforts toward increased food supply and urgent nutritional support involving nutrient-rich-food items to the target groups.

Author Biographies

Akinlo, Anthony E

Department of Economics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Odusanya, Ibrahim A

Department of Economics, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria E-mail: Ibrahim_odusanya@yahoo.co.uk, +2348058871311

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