[EQ] Tackling Health Inequities in Chile

Tackling Health Inequities in Chile:
Maternal, Newborn, Infant, and Child Mortality Between 1990 and 2004

Rogelio Gonzalez is with Pontificia Catholic University of Chile, Santiago, and the Division of Prevention and Control of Diseases, Chilean Ministry of Health, Santiago.
At the time of the study, Jennifer Harris Requejo and Flavia Bustreo were with the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health, Geneva, Switzerland.
Jyh Kae Nien is with the Center for Perinatal Diagnosis, Pontificia Catholic University of Chile.
Mario Merialdi and Ana Pilar Betran are with the Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.

American Journal of Public Health -  AJPH 1220-1226 - July 2009, Vol 99, No. 7

Website: http://www.ajph.org/cgi/content/abstract/99/7/1220?etoc  

Objectives. We analyzed trends in maternal, newborn, and child mortality in Chile between 1990 and 2004, after the introduction of national interventions and reforms, and examined associations between trends and interventions.

Methods. Data were provided by the Chilean Ministry of Health on all pregnancies between 1990 and 2004 (approximately 4 000 000). We calculated yearly maternal mortality ratios, stillbirth rates, and mortality rates for neonates, infants (aged > 28 days and < 1 year), and children aged 1 to 4 years. We also calculated these statistics by 5-year intervals for Chile's poorest to richest district quintiles.

Results. During the study period, the maternal mortality ratio decreased from 42.1 to 18.5 per 100 000 live births. The mortality rate for neonates decreased from 9.0 to 5.7 per 1000 births, for infants from 7.8 to 3.1 per 1000 births, and for young children from 3.1 to 1.7 per 1000 live births. The stillbirth rate declined from 6.0 to 5.0 per 1000 births. Disparities in these mortality statistics between the poorest and richest district quintiles also decreased, with the largest mortality reductions in the poorest quintile.

Conclusions. During a period of socioeconomic development and health sector reforms, Chile experienced significant mortality and inequity reductions.

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This message from the Pan American Health Organization, PAHO/WHO, is part of an effort to disseminate
information Related to: Equity; Health inequality; Socioeconomic inequality in health; Socioeconomic
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[EQ] Canadian Index ofWellbeing (CIW)

How are Canadians Really doing?

 

JUNE 10 2009

THE FIRST REPORT OF THE INSTITUTE OF WELLBEING

 

Available online PDF [41p.] at: http://www.ciw.ca/Libraries/Documents/FirstReportOfTheInstituteOfWellbeing.sflb.ashx

 

“……Around the world, a consensus is growing about the need for a more holistic and transparent way to measure societal progress – one that accounts for more than just economic indicators such as the Gross Domestic Product and takes into account the full range of social, health, environmental and economic concerns of citizens.

 

The Canadian Index of Wellbeing CIW will track Canada’s progress and provide a set of indicators in eight interconnected reports that will enable us to see whether we are better or worse off than we used to be, whether we will leave the world a better or worse place for the generations that follow, and what we need to change to achieve a better outcome….”  The Honourable Roy J. Romanow, Chair, Institute of Wellbeing Advisory Board

Domains:

Arts, Culture and Recreation measures activity in the very broad area of culture, which covers all forms of human expression, the much more focused area of arts,which includes performing arts, visual arts, media arts and art facilities and institutes, and recreation activities.

Civic Engagement measures the participation of citizens in public life and in governance; the functioning of Canadian governments with respect to openness, transparency, effectiveness, fairness, equity and accessibility; and the role Canadians and their institutions play as global citizens.

Community Vitality measures the strength, activity and inclusiveness of relationships among residents, private sector, public sector and voluntary organizations. Education measures the literacy and skill levels of the population, including the ability to function in various societal contexts and plan for and adapt to future situations.

Environment measures the state of wellbeing and integrity of the natural environment, including the sustainability of ecosystems, watersheds and natural resources.

Healthy Populations measures the physical and mental wellbeing of the population, life expectancy, behaviours and life circumstances that influence health, health care quality and access, and public health services.

Living Standards measures the level and distribution of income and wealth, poverty rates, income volatility, and economic security, including the security of jobs, food, housing and the social safety net.

Time Use measures the use of time, how people experience time,what controls its use, and how it affects wellbeing

 

Content:

1. Introducing the Institute of Wellbeing and the Canadian Index of Wellbeing

1.1 A New Approach to Measuring Societal Progress

1.2 Why Canada Needs New National Indicators

1.3 Our Vision and Goals

1.4 Our Objectives

1.5 Rooted in Canadian Values

1.6 The CIW Framework

1.7 Who is Behind the Institute of Wellbeing

1.8 For More Information

2. Connecting the Dots

3. First Results – Summaries and Highlights

3.1 Living Standards

3.2 Healthy Populations

3.3 Community Vitality

Appendices

Appendix I – Institute ofWellbeing Advisory Board

Appendix II – Canadian Research Advisory Group (CRAG)

Appendix lll – A Pan-Canadian Network

 

Other reports:

§                           Community Vitality

§                           Healthy Populations

§                           Living Standards

 

 

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This message from the Pan American Health Organization, PAHO/WHO, is part of an effort to disseminate
information Related to: Equity; Health inequality; Socioeconomic inequality in health; Socioeconomic
health differentials; Gender; Violence; Poverty; Health Economics; Health Legislation; Ethnicity; Ethics;
Information Technology - Virtual libraries; Research & Science issues.  [DD/ KMS Area]

“Materials provided in this electronic list are provided "as is". Unless expressly stated otherwise, the findings
and interpretations included in the Materials are those of the authors and not necessarily of The Pan American
Health Organization PAHO/WHO or its country members”.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Equity List - Archives - Join/remove: http://listserv.paho.org/Archives/equidad.html