Santosh Kumar Gautam
Keough School of Global Affairs
Associate Professor of Development and Global Health Economics
- Explores the intersection of global health and poverty reduction.
- Work focuses on helping promote a healthy start to life, which is associated with better health and educational outcomes that help people thrive and move out of poverty.
- Development economics
- Global health economics
- Economics of early childhood development
- Human capital
- India
Kumar Gautam’s Latest News
Kumar Gautam in the News
Science Magazine
India Immunization Program Cuts Child Mortality, Urges Health Education Policy Coordination
July 30, 2026
Each year, about 700,000 children worldwide die from vaccine-preventable diseases, with the vast majority in low- and middle-income countries. A new study by University of Notre Dame economist Santosh Kumar Gautam evaluates whether India’s Universal Immunization Programme measurably reduced child mortality—and how those health gains rippled into education.
News Medical
India's childhood immunization program reduced deaths while reshaping educational outcomes
July 16, 2026
Each year, approximately 700,000 children worldwide die from diseases that vaccines could have prevented, nearly all of them in low- and middle-income countries. New research from University of Notre Dame economist Santosh Kumar Gautam finds that India's national childhood immunization program helped address this persistent global health challenge, producing substantial reductions in child deaths.
Medical Xpress
India's immunization program reduced child mortality but highlights need for coordinating health, education policies
July 15, 2026
New research from University of Notre Dame economist Santosh Kumar Gautam finds that India's national childhood immunization program helped address this persistent global health challenge, producing substantial reductions in child deaths.
Medical Xpress
Clean water boosts child health in Mozambique, study shows
December 12, 2025
"Access to clean and safe drinking water is critical for preventing chronic undernutrition in children," said Santosh Kumar Gautam, associate professor of development and global health economics at the University of Notre Dame's Keough School of Global Affairs. "In Mozambique, where millions lack safe water, focusing on water interventions can have the greatest impact on stunting."
The Conversation
RFK Jr’s shakeup of vaccine advisory committee raises worries about scientific integrity of health recommendations
June 13, 2025
By Santosh Kumar Gautam, Associate Professor of Development and Global Health Economics, University of Notre Dame.
WSBT TV
Symposium for infant mortality brings Indiana health commissioner to Elkhart
Video
June 12, 2025
Global health experts are calling the current infant mortality rate in Indiana a crisis. Dr. Santosh Gautam, a professor of Global Affairs at Notre Dame, says the issue is disproportionately effecting Black and Hispanic mothers.
WSBT TV
More trial runs expected for new COVID-19 vaccines amidst FDA changes
Video
May 29, 2025
One health expert at Notre Dame says this new regulation may leave some Americans especially vulnerable to infection if it remains in place. Associate Professor of Global Health at Notre Dame, Santosh Gautam views the new FDA regulations as a reduction in overall supply of the vaccine for under-insured communities. But, he says there is data to support the logic.