Do family planning programs enhance children's health?

Abstract

The 1993 National Demographic Survey (NDS) in the Philippines provides data on the incidence of childhood diarrhea and acute respiratory infection and on the health care that children receive when they become ill. This information indicates that children who were "unwanted" at the time of conception are more likely to become ill than other children. Children from large families are less likely than other children to receive medical treatment when they become ill. These results confirm the justification for family planning programs based on child health.