Health inequalities and well-being in times of financial and political crisis in Brazil, a case study

Background: Although global efforts have resulted in improvements in health and well-being across the world, economic downturns can rapidly undermine achievements in this area. Methods: Using Gallup World Poll data (n = 7,084) this study assessed the changes in health status and well-being before (2...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Global public health 2019-12, Vol.14 (12), p.1815-1828
Main Authors: Rezende Machado de Sousa, Luna, Saint Ville, Arlette, Maria Segall-Corrêa, Ana, Melgar-Quiñonez, Hugo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Academic achievement
Air quality
Associations
Brazil
Case studies
Communities
Cross-Sectional Studies
Cultural Characteristics
Deterioration
Economic conditions
Economic crisis
Economic Recession
Economic wellbeing
Female
Food
Food security
Health care
Health care policy
Health disparities
Health services
Health status
Health Status Disparities
Healthy food
Humans
Indexes
Inequalities
Infrastructure
Male
Natural environment
Political crises
Political finance
Politics
Public health
Regression analysis
Regression models
Respondents
Satisfaction
social determinants
Social Determinants of Health
Social factors
Social inequality
Social support
socioeconomics factors
Unemployment
Water quality
Well being
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Summary:Background: Although global efforts have resulted in improvements in health and well-being across the world, economic downturns can rapidly undermine achievements in this area. Methods: Using Gallup World Poll data (n = 7,084) this study assessed the changes in health status and well-being before (2009-2013) and during (2015-2017) the current financial and political crisis in Brazil and their association with the Social Determinants of Health Inequalities. Health and well-being were measured by the Personal Life Index and the Life Evaluation Index. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression models were conducted. Results: A significant deterioration of well-being was found during the crisis, with a 29% decline (63-44%) in the prevalence of respondents classified as 'thriving' in life. Food security, age and social support were the best predictors of health status and well-being, mitigating the association of health and well-being with income and unemployment. Education and community environment also showed strong association with well-being, and satisfaction with healthcare system played an important role in health status. Conclusions: In order to protect health and well-being during such crisis, policies should pay particular attention on enhancing the access to food, healthcare system, educational system, community environment (quality of air, water and infrastructure) and fostering social support.
ISSN:1744-1692
1744-1706
DOI:10.1080/17441692.2019.1616800