Dean Spears

In this engaging discussion, Dean Spears, an associate professor at the University of Texas at Austin and founding director of r.i.c.e., sheds light on the critical neonatal health challenges in Uttar Pradesh, India. He reveals shocking neonatal mortality rates and explores the effective kangaroo mother care program, emphasizing its life-saving impact through skin-to-skin contact. The conversation also touches on the socioeconomic factors affecting maternal and infant health, and the hope for future improvements through innovative, low-cost healthcare solutions.

Dean Spears, an expert on why babies are born small in Uttar Pradesh, discusses the impact of maternal undernutrition, the success of Kangaroo Mother Care in reducing neonatal deaths, and the cost effectiveness of programs aimed at saving infants' lives. The podcast also explores challenges of cash-based healthcare for neonatal survival in Uttar Pradesh.