Socioeconomic Determinants of Mortality at Young Ages

Mario F.G. Monteiro, Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ)
Maria Isabel C.A. Parahyba, Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE)

The purpose of this study is to estimate 15q5 (probability of dying between 5 and 19 years old, measured by indirect techniques) for population groups exposed to different socio-economic conditions, using data from the 1991 Demographic Censuses. In this particular age group, 3/4 of the deaths are violent, they may be attributed to external causes (accidents, homicides and suicides) and we will be able to associate this risk of dying early with violence. According to the research already done, for the time being at the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro, we can affirm that the risk of dying young is not equally distributed within the population. On the contrary, it is bigger for the population groups submitted to unfavourable social conditions, such as low income groups, families headed by women and shantytown dwellers, to whom social and civil rights (to life and security) have been systematically menaced.