Public engagement for public health: participatory budgeting, targeted social programmes, and infant mortality in Brazil. Issue 5 (3rd July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Touchton, Michael; Wampler, Brian
• Is Part Of: Development in practice. Volume 30:Issue 5(2020)
• Page Start: 681
• Page End: 686
• Publication Date: 2020-07-03
• Subjects: Civil society – Participation -- Social sector – health -- Water and sanitation -- Latin America and the Caribbean; Technical assistance -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Economic assistance -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; 338.91091724
• DOI: 10.1080/09614524.2020.1742662
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0961-4524

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Brazil has made striking gains in public health since its democratisation in the mid-1980s. Previous research credits widespread economic growth and the creation of widespread social programmes for these improvements. We take a novel approach by also examining local participatory institutions. Participatory budgeting is a democratic innovation that allows residents to allocate a portion of the local budget directly to local needs, including healthcare. We evaluate whether participatory budgeting also influences infant mortality, a serious health problem facing Brazilian communities. We find that using participatory budgeting substantially reduces infant mortality, even more so when the programme is institutionalised.