In this paper, we analyze the infant mortality in Brazil in the 1980 decade. Since the completeness of death registration is very low in some regions of the country, the analysis is based on five health indicators constructed from the proportional distribution by causes of death and by age-group. Using a principal component analysis, we develop an index that expresses quantitatively the diversified conditions of mortality. Through this index, classifying the Brazilian states in three groups, it is shown that the poorest one continues to exhibit a pattern similar to India and other low income populations. Additionally, analyzing the neonatal mortality in the wealthiest group, it is found a small reduction in the first week mortality, indicating that even the favored group still remains very far from the developed world. In general, when compared to other countries, Brazil has shown a poor performance. It becomes evident the need of reestablishing strategies to improvement on both components, the neonatal and the post-neonatal mortality.
Infant Mortality; Neonatal Mortality; Causes of Death; Health Indicators; Epidemiology
