Health and Poverty in Brazil: Estimation by Structural Equation Model with Latent Variables
By Antonio Giuffrida, William Savedoff, Roberto F. Iunes (03/05, En, Es) See also Social Development
Brazil is characterized by large inequalities in income, access to health care, and health status. This paper uses data from the 1998 Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios to analyze the complex relationships among health, income, health insurance and health care utilization to gain a better understanding of the various factors determining differences in the health of the population, especially between the poor and non-poor. We use a structural equation model in which health, wealth and access to health care are specified as latent variables. Latent variables are not directly measurable, but are represented by a set of manifest variables, which act as indicators. Separate models are estimated for adult women and men. The estimates suggest that health of adult women and men is improved by water, sanitation and particularly by filtering the water used in the house. Education and wealth improve health status. On the other hand, unemployment, child labor and race discrimination affect negatively health status. The health status of women looks particularly worse compared with men. Women?s health status depreciates at a quicker pace and appears to be much more sensitive to negative factors.
This working paper is being published with the sole objective of contributing to the debate on a topic of importance to the region, and to elicit comments and suggestions from interested parties. This paper has not gone through the Department's peer review process or undergone consideration by the SDS Management Team. As such, it does not reflect the official position of the Inter-American Development Bank.
Last updated: 05/08/07
