Paula Andrea Taborda Restrepo

Fundación Universitaria Areandina, Columbia

Abstract Title: Intersectional inequalities in child malnutrition mortality in Colombia: evidence from Chocó and Risaralda (2012–2022)

Biography: Public health researcher and nutrition specialist from Colombia with more than 20 years of professional experience in public health, nutrition and health systems. Doctoral candidate in Public Health at the University of Antioquia and faculty member at the Fundación Universitaria del Área Andina. Academic work focuses on child malnutrition, social determinants of health and health inequalities affecting vulnerable populations, particularly indigenous communities. Academic production includes more than a dozen peer-reviewed scientific articles, contributions to academic books and chapters, and over 90 citations in Google Scholar. Research integrates epidemiological analysis and territorial perspectives to inform policies addressing health inequities.

Research Interest: Child malnutrition remains a significant contributor to preventable mortality among children under five years of age in low- and middle-income countries. In Colombia, despite national improvements in nutrition indicators, deaths related to malnutrition continue to occur disproportionately in vulnerable territories. This study analyses patterns of child mortality attributed to malnutrition in two Colombian departments with contrasting socio-territorial contexts: Chocó and Risaralda. A retrospective analysis was conducted using national vital statistics from 2012 to 2022. Descriptive epidemiological analysis and exploratory statistical methods were used to examine the distribution of deaths according to sex, ethnicity, area of residence, maternal characteristics, health insurance status and birth conditions. The analysis identified marked territorial and social inequalities. Indigenous children represented the majority of deaths in both territories, particularly in rural dispersed areas with limited access to health services. Most cases occurred among populations affiliated with the subsidised health insurance system and among mothers with low educational attainment. High proportions of missing or incomplete information in some perinatal variables were also observed, reflecting limitations in health information systems in vulnerable regions. These findings highlight how child malnutrition mortality reflects broader structural inequalities affecting rural and indigenous populations. The results underscore the need for public health policies that address social determinants of health, improve access to maternal and child healthcare services and strengthen surveillance systems in marginalized territories. Reducing preventable child deaths requires integrated strategies that combine nutrition interventions with broader actions targeting poverty, territorial inequities and health system accessibility.