Early childhood policies: an evaluation of their impact on maternal and child mortality and nutrition

Purpose This study assessed the impact of Programa Criança Feliz (PCF), Brazil's first national initiative focusing on early childhood development and maternal and child health indicators. Design/methodology/approach This analysis explored the effects of PCF implementation across municipalities by leveraging its staggered rollout and eligibility criteria. The impact was estimated using an instrumented differences-in-differences (DDIV) model. Findings Results show participation in PCF was associated with reduced maternal mortality and improvements in infant nutrition, particularly among children aged 0–6 months. The proportion of underweight children reaching adequate weight increased, with stronger effects observed in Brazil's northern and northeastern regions and in municipalities with longer programme exposure. These findings suggest that PCF may contribute to lowering healthcare expenditures and advancing long-term human development. Originality/value This study provides one of the first empirical assessments of PCF's health impacts using a quasi-experimental approach. This highlights the programme’s potential not only as a social support mechanism but also as a strategic public health intervention.