Difference in differences

The DID estimator is a useful tool to obtain a more fine-grained estimate of famine exposure on a variety of health and demographic outcomes, as long as the famine severity measure is good. However, in my case (fecundity), the provincial-level excess famine mortality level does not see to work well. I suspect that the provincial-level mortality measure is too crude and may not be able to adequately reflect individual's nutritional status.