Nutrition and Social Disadvantage as Risk Factors for Mortality Among School-Age Children: Regional Differences in Kazakhstan

The mortality structure among school-aged children is shaped by a complex interplay of medical, social, and behavioral determinants. Dietary and socioeconomic indicators showed only weak ecological associations with mortality and did not retain independent effects after multivariable adjustment, underscoring the multifactorial nature of regional mortality patterns and the need for multisectoral action, including improved access to nutritious foods, enhanced social well-being, and strengthened health system capacity.