Estimating child mortality using advanced statistical methods

Bayesian Mortality Estimation from Disparate Data Sources

NIH-funded research University of Washington · NIH-11112444

This study is working on a new way to estimate how many young children are dying, especially in places where official records are missing, and it aims to help researchers in low-resource countries understand child mortality better, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Washington NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Seattle, United States)
Project IDNIH-11112444 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to create a Bayesian statistical framework to estimate mortality rates, particularly focusing on children under five years old, using various data sources where vital registration data is unavailable. The project will develop methods that can be efficiently implemented, especially in low- and middle-income countries with limited computing resources. It will also address excess mortality during the Covid-19 pandemic and provide yearly estimates of child mortality rates at local levels. The results will be disseminated widely, along with software and training for researchers.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children under five years old living in regions with limited access to vital registration data.

Not a fit: Patients who are older than five years or those living in areas with robust vital registration systems may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate mortality estimates, improving health decision-making and resource allocation for child health interventions.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown success in using Bayesian methods for statistical estimation, indicating a promising approach for this project.

Where this research is happening

Seattle, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.