A New Way to Reduce Children’s Deaths: Cash
A New Way to Reduce Children’s Deaths: Cash
Simply giving money to poor families at certain times reduced deaths among young children by nearly half, a new study found.
Read the full article on NY Times Science
Truth Analysis
Analysis Summary:
The article claims that giving money to poor families reduces child mortality by nearly half. While cash transfer programs are shown to reduce mortality rates, the specific claim of 'nearly half' is not directly supported by the provided sources, and the article's future date raises concerns. There is a moderate bias towards promoting cash transfer programs as a solution.
Detailed Analysis:
- Claim: Simply giving money to poor families at certain times reduced deaths among young children by nearly half.
- Verification Source #1: Mortality rates fell by 20 percent among women in countries that began cash transfer programs to the poor. Children also benefited.
- Verification Source #2: Cash transfer programmes could address multiple SDGs by reducing poverty and improving health.
- Verification Source #3: Found a large reduction in risk of death for men, women, and children.
- Assessment: Partially supported. The sources confirm that cash transfers reduce mortality, including child mortality, but the 'nearly half' claim is not directly supported by the provided sources. Source 1 mentions a 20% reduction in mortality rates among women. The article's publication date in the future (2025) also raises concerns about its validity.
Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:
- Source 1: Mortality rates fell by 20 percent among women in countries that began cash transfer programs to the poor. Children also benefited.
- The article's publication date is in the future (August 18, 2025), which is unusual and casts doubt on its authenticity.