Over the past century, virtually every society has undergone an improvement in life expectancy, but little is known about how this transition has taken place. Examination of these trends in historical perspective may enhance our understanding of contemporary debates about the determinants of mortality and possible actions to reduce social inequalities in health. This study explores with a critical gaze the mortality transition in Uruguay --the only country in Latin America with national vital statistics records beginning in the late 19th century. In treating Uruguay as a population laboratory, we explore the role, magnitude, and interaction of a variety of economic, social, medical, environmental, and political factors affecting mortality dynamics. In 1900 Uruguay had the lowest infant mortality rate in Latin America and one of the lowest rates in the world. Yet forty years later infant mortality had barely improved. In studying this infant mortality stagnation, a series of ecological variables are employed. Special attention will be paid to diarrheal mortality, far more important than the respiratory mortality typical of Europe. The intractability of diarrheal death rates, particularly in marginal areas, cries out for further explanation. Contrary to standard explanations that income per capita and social investments are the closest correlates of infant mortality patterns, this preliminary historical and epidemiological analysis points to a greater importance of societal inequality -as measured by crime rates and workplace activism-- as an explanatory hypothesis.
Learning Objectives: 1) Understand key elements of the mortality transition 2) Become familiar with the determinants of health trends in Latin America 3) Recognize the role of historical analysis in addressing social inequalities in health
Keywords: Infant Mortality, History
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.