title: Better prospects for child survival.
abstract: Infant and childhood mortality rates in São Paulo fell by about 50% and 70% respectively between 1973 and 1983. However, surveys in 1973-74 and 1984-85 showed no change in the prevalence of protein-energy malnutrition, nor were there marked changes in the socioeconomic characteristics of the population. Improvements in water supply and the duration of breast-feeding possibly accounted for a 20% decrease in the infant mortality rate. It is proposed that the markedly improved coverage of health services may have played a large role in explaining the rest of the decrease. The control of malnutrition may not always be essential for lowering infant and child mortality in developing societies.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Monteiro
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Pino Zúñiga
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Benicio
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Victora
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003710:Demography; D004777:Environment; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality; D009026:Mortality; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors