Interlinkages

What is the relation between economic growth, health and education?

Economic growth is positively correlated to lower levels of infant mortality and higher literacy rates. However, there is no one way causation. Basic health can lead to more class participation and thus augment skills and productivity and reduce poverty. For instance, Kremer and Miguel (2003) look at the effects of deworming on class participation in Kenya. Deworming was found to increase school attendance significantly but there was no effect on class performance. Being a cheap policy intervention, deworming is one of the best tools available to increase attendance of children in areas with low hygiene. On the other hand, educated individuals are more likely to be in better health and can thus, work more effectively and earn higher wages. So providing education through Sarvshiksha Abhiyan will not only lead to greater literacy but also increase their life expectancy and quality of life. Infant mortality and child malnutrition would also be lower in households where children attend school. Similarly, economic growth should lead to greater investment in schools and hospitals, more qualified teachers and doctors, and technology-aided learning and surgeries. Thus, economic growth is a means to achieving better education and health. A flaw in policy design is that most projects do not have universal coverage and are generally targeted to appeasing the politically influential groups rather than the disadvantaged groups. Inadequate implementation of the programs due to a culture of corruption, absence of enforcement mechanisms, and more generally, the lack of accountability all contribute to low literacy and high infant mortality.

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