Abstract
We examined the associations between prefectural
health status of children and sanitation infrastructure,
medical care services and socioeconomic
status in Japan during 1955-2000. Four
indicators of child health status: infant mortality
rate (IMR), Ascaris lumbricoides prevalence and
height and weight of elementary school children,
and five prefectural social indicators: water supply,
sewerage, number of physicians, income and
women’s education, were calculated over fiveyear
intervals and examined by correlation and
panel data analyses. Associations between paediatric
health and five social indicators were significant
(p<0.001) until 1970. After adjustment for
income or education, water supply diffusion rate
showed a significantly negative association with
IMR until the 1980s. A significantly positive correlation
was observed between the number of
physician and paediatric health from 1955-70 after
adjustment for income. Water supply development
showed a positive association with paediatric
health after adjustment for economic or educational
impact during the phases of rapid and
steady economic growth, while medical care
showed a positive correlation with paediatric
health after adjustment for income during only the
phase of rapid economic growth. Relationships
between child health status and social indicators
have changed over time with stage of economic
development.
