[Infant mortality and socioeconomic indicators in Chile: 1985-1999].
BACKGROUND
The link between economy and some public health indicators like Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) is widely demonstrated.


OBJECTIVE
To explore the relationship between some economic indicators and infant mortality in Chile between 1985 and 1999.


METHODS
An ecological study, obtaining information from Demographic Annual Reports edited by the National Institute of Statistics, Health Ministry, Planning Ministry and the Central Bank.


RESULTS
There is an inverse association between the Gross National Product, per capita and Real Salary Index and a direct relationship between inflation and unemployment rates with an increased infant mortality.


CONCLUSIONS
The reduction in infant mortality observed in Chile depends more on socio demographic than on economical factors.
Szot
Jorge
J
Unidad de Epidemiología y Estudios, Departamento de Planificación y Gestión, Servicio de Salud Metropolitano Sur Oriente, Santiago de Chile. jszot@ssmso.cl
D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D012924:Social Conditions; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors