ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To analyze the environmental and socioeconomic risk factors of malaria transmission at municipality level, from 2010 to 2015, in the Brazilian Amazon. METHODS The municipalities were stratified into high, moderate, and low transmission based on the annual parasite incidence. A multinomial logistic regression that compared low with medium transmission and low with high transmission was performed. For each category, three models were analyzed: one only with socioeconomic risk factors (Gini index, illiteracy, number of mines and indigenous areas); a second with the environmental factors (forest coverage and length of the wet season); and a third with all covariates (full model). RESULTS The full model showed the best performance. The most important risks factors for high transmission were Gini index, length of the wet season and illiteracy, OR 2.06 (95%CI 1.19–3.56), 1.73 (95%CI 1.19–2.51) and 1.10 (95%CI 1.03–1.17), respectively. The medium transmission showed a weaker influence of the risk factors, being illiteracy, forest coverage and indigenous areas statistically significant but with marginal influence. CONCLUSIONS As a disease of poverty, the reduction in wealth inequalities and, therefore, health inequalities, could reduce the transmission considerably. Besides, environmental risk factors as length of the wet season should be considered in the planning, prevention and control. Municipality-level and fine-scale analysis should be done together to improve the knowledge of the local dynamics of transmission.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To analyze the environmental and socioeconomic risk factors of malaria transmission at municipality level, from 2010 to 2015, in the Brazilian Amazon. METHODS The municipalities were stratified into high, moderate, and low transmission based on the annual parasite incidence. A multinomial logistic regression that compared low with medium transmission and low with high transmission was performed. For each category, three models were analyzed: one only with socioeconomic risk factors (Gini index, illiteracy, number of mines and indigenous areas); a second with the environmental factors (forest coverage and length of the wet season); and a third with all covariates (full model). RESULTS The full model showed the best performance. The most important risks factors for high transmission were Gini index, length of the wet season and illiteracy, OR 2.06 (95%CI 1.19–3.56), 1.73 (95%CI 1.19–2.51) and 1.10 (95%CI 1.03–1.17), respectively. The medium transmission showed a weaker influence of the risk factors, being illiteracy, forest coverage and indigenous areas statistically significant but with marginal influence. CONCLUSIONS As a disease of poverty, the reduction in wealth inequalities and, therefore, health inequalities, could reduce the transmission considerably. Besides, environmental risk factors as length of the wet season should be considered in the planning, prevention and control. Municipality-level and fine-scale analysis should be done together to improve the knowledge of the local dynamics of transmission.

ABSTRACT The aim of this research was to investigate the origin of imported cases of dengue in the city of Araraquara, Brazil and to describe the disease’s main epidemiological characteristics. The study encompassed all confirmed cases of dengue recorded in the Information System for Notifiable Diseases (SINAN) [Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação] from 1998 to 2013. Cases whose origin of infection was likely located outside Araraquara were considered imported. The epidemiological study entailed a descriptive analysis of the data, regarding the distribution of cases by sex, age, and classification of imported and autochthonous cases. A geographic information system was used to map flows and estimate distances. There were 6,913 confirmed cases, 419 of which were imported. In most cases, the origin of infection was located in the state of São Paulo as well as other Brazilian regions. The results indicate the relevance of imported cases and differences in the epidemiological profile with respect to age and sex. Conclusions indicate the need to increase epidemiological and environmental health surveillance at ports, airports, truck stops, and bus and train terminals.

RESUMEN El objetivo de este trabajo fue investigar el origen de los casos importados de dengue en la ciudad de Araraquara, Brasil y describir las principales características epidemiológicas. El estudio abarcó todos los casos confirmados de dengue registrados en el Sistema de Información de Enfermedades de Notificación (SINAN) [Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação] de 1998-2013. Se consideraron como casos importados aquellos cuyo lugar de origen de infección se ubicara fuera de Araraquara. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de la distribución de los casos por género, edad y clasificación de casos importados y autóctonos. Se utilizó un sistema de información geográfica para mapear los flujos y estimar las distancias de los puntos de contagio. Se incluyeron 6.913 casos confirmados, de los cuales 419 fueron importados. En la mayoría de estos casos, el origen de infección se ubicó en el estado de San Pablo, además de otras regiones brasileñas. Los resultados indican la relevancia de los casos importados y diferencias en el perfil epidemiológico por edad y sexo. Las conclusiones indican la necesidad de aumentar la vigilancia epidemiológica y de salud ambiental en los puertos, aeropuertos, paradas de camiones y terminales de buses y trenes.

ABSTRACT The aim of this research was to investigate the origin of imported cases of dengue in the city of Araraquara, Brazil and to describe the disease’s main epidemiological characteristics. The study encompassed all confirmed cases of dengue recorded in the Information System for Notifiable Diseases (SINAN) [Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação] from 1998 to 2013. Cases whose origin of infection was likely located outside Araraquara were considered imported. The epidemiological study entailed a descriptive analysis of the data, regarding the distribution of cases by sex, age, and classification of imported and autochthonous cases. A geographic information system was used to map flows and estimate distances. There were 6,913 confirmed cases, 419 of which were imported. In most cases, the origin of infection was located in the state of São Paulo as well as other Brazilian regions. The results indicate the relevance of imported cases and differences in the epidemiological profile with respect to age and sex. Conclusions indicate the need to increase epidemiological and environmental health surveillance at ports, airports, truck stops, and bus and train terminals.

RESUMEN El objetivo de este trabajo fue investigar el origen de los casos importados de dengue en la ciudad de Araraquara, Brasil y describir las principales características epidemiológicas. El estudio abarcó todos los casos confirmados de dengue registrados en el Sistema de Información de Enfermedades de Notificación (SINAN) [Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação] de 1998-2013. Se consideraron como casos importados aquellos cuyo lugar de origen de infección se ubicara fuera de Araraquara. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de la distribución de los casos por género, edad y clasificación de casos importados y autóctonos. Se utilizó un sistema de información geográfica para mapear los flujos y estimar las distancias de los puntos de contagio. Se incluyeron 6.913 casos confirmados, de los cuales 419 fueron importados. En la mayoría de estos casos, el origen de infección se ubicó en el estado de San Pablo, además de otras regiones brasileñas. Los resultados indican la relevancia de los casos importados y diferencias en el perfil epidemiológico por edad y sexo. Las conclusiones indican la necesidad de aumentar la vigilancia epidemiológica y de salud ambiental en los puertos, aeropuertos, paradas de camiones y terminales de buses y trenes.

Resumo Os observatórios de saúde podem se diferenciar de acordo com sua missão, contexto institucional, enfoque temático e cobertura geográfica. O artigo discute o desenvolvimento de um novo observatório de saúde pública com enfoque urbano e sua pesquisa operacional e infraestrutura de ensino, sob a égide acadêmica do Departamento de Epidemiologia e do Instituto de Saúde Urbana da Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (BSPH) em Baltimore, Estados Unidos. A Bloomberg School reafirmou sua missão no ensino superior ao lançar uma nova formação profissional em saúde pública como primeiro passo importante no desenvolvimento do observatório. O novo observatório com base na academia é uma plataforma inovadora para o ensino e pesquisa em saúde pública que oferece ao corpo docente, pesquisadores, alunos de epidemiologia, e parceiros em projetos de pesquisa uma infraestrutura física e metodológica para suas atividades de pesquisa operacional e capacitação, com enfoque urbano local e alcance global. Discute-se o conceito de um observatório de saúde pública e seu papel no enfrentamento das desigualdades sociais em saúde em contextos urbanos locais.

Abstract Health observatories may differ according to their mission, institutional setting, topical emphasis or geographic coverage. This paper discusses the development of a new urban-focused health observatory, and its operational research and training infrastructure under the academic umbrella of the Department of Epidemiology and the Institute of Urban Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (BSPH) in Baltimore, USA. Recognizing the higher education mission of the BSPH, the development of a new professional training in public health was an important first step for the development of this observatory. This new academia-based observatory is an innovative public health research and training platform offering faculty, investigators, professional epidemiology students and research partners a physical and methodological infrastructure for their operational research and training activities with both a local urban focus and a global reach. The concept of a public health observatory and its role in addressing social health inequalities in local urban settings is discussed.

Resumen Los observatorios de salud pueden diferir de acuerdo con su misión, el contexto institucional, el enfoque temático y la cobertura geográfica. El artículo discute el desarrollo de un nuevo observatorio de salud pública con énfasis en la salud urbana y su investigación operativa y la infraestructura de la enseñanza, bajo los auspicios académicos del Departamento de Epidemiología y el Instituto de Salud Urbana de la Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health en Baltimore, Estados Unidos. La Bloomberg School reafirmó su misión en la educación superior mediante el lanzamiento de una nueva formación profesional en la salud pública como el primer paso en el desarrollo del observatorio. El nuevo observatorio, basado en la academia, es una plataforma innovadora para la enseñanza y la investigación en salud pública que ofrece a los profesores, investigadores, estudiantes de epidemiología y socios en proyectos de investigación, una infraestructura física y metodológica para las actividades de investigación operativa y de formación, con enfoque urbano local y alcance global. Se discute el concepto de un observatorio de salud pública y su papel en el afrontamiento a las desigualdades sociales en salud en los entornos urbanos locales.

Resumo Os observatórios de saúde podem se diferenciar de acordo com sua missão, contexto institucional, enfoque temático e cobertura geográfica. O artigo discute o desenvolvimento de um novo observatório de saúde pública com enfoque urbano e sua pesquisa operacional e infraestrutura de ensino, sob a égide acadêmica do Departamento de Epidemiologia e do Instituto de Saúde Urbana da Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (BSPH) em Baltimore, Estados Unidos. A Bloomberg School reafirmou sua missão no ensino superior ao lançar uma nova formação profissional em saúde pública como primeiro passo importante no desenvolvimento do observatório. O novo observatório com base na academia é uma plataforma inovadora para o ensino e pesquisa em saúde pública que oferece ao corpo docente, pesquisadores, alunos de epidemiologia, e parceiros em projetos de pesquisa uma infraestrutura física e metodológica para suas atividades de pesquisa operacional e capacitação, com enfoque urbano local e alcance global. Discute-se o conceito de um observatório de saúde pública e seu papel no enfrentamento das desigualdades sociais em saúde em contextos urbanos locais.

Abstract Health observatories may differ according to their mission, institutional setting, topical emphasis or geographic coverage. This paper discusses the development of a new urban-focused health observatory, and its operational research and training infrastructure under the academic umbrella of the Department of Epidemiology and the Institute of Urban Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (BSPH) in Baltimore, USA. Recognizing the higher education mission of the BSPH, the development of a new professional training in public health was an important first step for the development of this observatory. This new academia-based observatory is an innovative public health research and training platform offering faculty, investigators, professional epidemiology students and research partners a physical and methodological infrastructure for their operational research and training activities with both a local urban focus and a global reach. The concept of a public health observatory and its role in addressing social health inequalities in local urban settings is discussed.

Resumen Los observatorios de salud pueden diferir de acuerdo con su misión, el contexto institucional, el enfoque temático y la cobertura geográfica. El artículo discute el desarrollo de un nuevo observatorio de salud pública con énfasis en la salud urbana y su investigación operativa y la infraestructura de la enseñanza, bajo los auspicios académicos del Departamento de Epidemiología y el Instituto de Salud Urbana de la Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health en Baltimore, Estados Unidos. La Bloomberg School reafirmó su misión en la educación superior mediante el lanzamiento de una nueva formación profesional en la salud pública como el primer paso en el desarrollo del observatorio. El nuevo observatorio, basado en la academia, es una plataforma innovadora para la enseñanza y la investigación en salud pública que ofrece a los profesores, investigadores, estudiantes de epidemiología y socios en proyectos de investigación, una infraestructura física y metodológica para las actividades de investigación operativa y de formación, con enfoque urbano local y alcance global. Se discute el concepto de un observatorio de salud pública y su papel en el afrontamiento a las desigualdades sociales en salud en los entornos urbanos locales.

A systematic review of the geospatial analysis methods used in the dengue fever studies published between January 2001 and March 2011 was undertaken. In accordance with specific selection criteria thirty-five studies were selected for inclusion in the review. The aim was to assess the types of spatial methods that have been used to analyze dengue transmission. We found twenty-one different methods that had been used in dengue fever epidemiological studies in that period, three of which were most frequently used. The results show that few articles had applied spatial analysis methods in dengue fever studies; however, whenever they were applied they contributed to a better understanding of dengue fever geospatial diffusion.

A systematic review of the geospatial analysis methods used in the dengue fever studies published between January 2001 and March 2011 was undertaken. In accordance with specific selection criteria thirty-five studies were selected for inclusion in the review. The aim was to assess the types of spatial methods that have been used to analyze dengue transmission. We found twenty-one different methods that had been used in dengue fever epidemiological studies in that period, three of which were most frequently used. The results show that few articles had applied spatial analysis methods in dengue fever studies; however, whenever they were applied they contributed to a better understanding of dengue fever geospatial diffusion.

This paper reviews and discusses the main procedures and policies that need to be followed when designing and implementing a binational survey such as the United States of America (U.S.)-Mexico Border Diabetes Prevalence Study that took place between 2001 and 2002. The main objective of the survey was to determine the prevalence of diabetes in the population 18 years of age or older along U.S.-Mexico border counties and municipalities. Several political, administrative, financial, legal, and cultural issues were identified as critical factors that need to be considered when developing and implementing similar binational projects. The lack of understanding of public health practices, implementation of existing policies, legislation, and management procedures in Mexico and the United States may delay or cancel binational research, affecting the working relation of both countries. Many challenges were identified: multiagency/multifunding, ethical/budget clearances, project management, administrative procedures, laboratory procedures, cultural issues, and project communications. Binational projects are complex; they require coordination between agencies and institutions at federal, state, and local levels and between countries and need a political, administrative, bureaucratic, cultural, and language balance. Binational agencies and staff should coordinate these projects for successful implementation.

En este artículo se analizan los principales procedimientos y normas que se deberían seguir al diseñar y ejecutar una encuesta binacional, como el estudio de prevalencia de la diabetes en la zona fronteriza entre México y los Estados Unidos que se llevó a cabo entre el 2001 y el 2002. El objetivo principal de la encuesta fue determinar la prevalencia de diabetes en las personas de 18 años o mayores en los condados y municipios fronterizos entre México y los Estados Unidos. Se definieron diversos aspectos políticos, administrativos, financieros, legales y culturales como factores fundamentales que se deben tener en cuenta al elaborar y ejecutar proyectos binacionales similares. La falta de comprensión de las prácticas de salud pública, la ejecución de las normas existentes, la legislación y los procedimientos de gestión en México y los Estados Unidos pueden retardar o cancelar las actividades de investigación binacional, y afectar las relaciones de trabajo entre ambos países. Se señalaron muchas dificultades con respecto a la multiplicidad de organismos y fuentes de financiación, las autorizaciones de carácter ético y presupuestario, la gestión del proyecto, los procedimientos administrativos, los procedimientos de laboratorio, los aspectos culturales y la comunicación del proyecto. Los proyectos binacionales son complejos; requieren coordinación entre los organismos y las instituciones a escalas federal, estatal, local y entre países, y precisan un equilibrio político, administrativo, burocrático, cultural e idiomático. El personal y los organismos binacionales deben coordinar estos proyectos con objeto de lograr su eficaz ejecución.

OBJETIVO: Analisar as desigualdades quanto ú distribuição de indicadores de saúde nas regiões e estados brasileiros, segundo indicadores de nível socioeconômico e demográfico no ano de 1999. MÉTODO: Realizou-se um estudo transversal ecológico, com enfoque exploratório, tendo como unidade de análise os estados (n = 27) e regiões (n = 5) brasileiras. Calcularam-se medidas descritivas de desigualdade. A correlação de Pearson e a análise de regressão linear foram utilizadas para identificar associações entre indicadores de saúde e indicadores de nível socioeconômico e demográficos selecionados. Os indicadores de saúde analisados foram a expectativa de vida ao nascer; a taxa de mortalidade infantil; mortalidade da criança (< 5 anos) por doenças diarréicas e respiratórias agudas; e mortalidade por homicídio e acidentes de trânsito. RESULTADOS: Observaram-se ganhos importantes na expectativa de vida ao nascer no período de 1991 a 1999, especialmente para os homens. Notou-se tendência a maiores ganhos nos estados com valores mais baixos de expectativa de vida ao nascer em 1991, o que conferiu maior homogeneidade ao indicador em anos recentes. A taxa de mortalidade infantil (por 1 000 nascidos vivos) no Brasil apresentou decréscimo de 28% no período de 1991 a 1999. No entanto, esse indicador ainda apresenta marcada variação entre as regiões - de 52,5 no Nordeste a 17,1 no Sul - e entre os estados - de 64,0 em Alagoas a 15,1 no Rio Grande do Sul. Quanto à mortalidade da criança < 5 anos (por 10 000), todos os estados do Nordeste apresentaram mortalidade por doenças diarréicas agudas maior ou igual ú mediana nacional (4,1 por 10 000), e todos os estados do Sul, Sudeste e Centro-Oeste apresentaram taxa de mortalidade infantil por doenças respiratórias agudas maior ou igual à mediana nacional (10,8 por 10 000). As taxas de mortalidade por acidentes de trânsito e homicídio (padronizadas por sexo e idade) em 1999 foram de 17,7 e 26,0 por 100 000 habitantes, respectivamente. Valores extremos foram observados em alguns estados para mortalidade por homicídio (57,8 por 100 000 em Pernambuco) e por acidentes de trânsito (54,5 por 100 000 em Roraima). A taxa de mortalidade por homicídio foi marcadamente associada com a urbanização (P = 0,001). Maiores taxas de mortalidade por acidentes de trânsito foram associadas a menores taxas de pobreza (beta = -0,93; P < 0,001) e de alfabetização (beta = -1,16; P = 0,005) e a maior crescimento populacional na última década (beta = 3,10; P = 0,016). CONCLUSÃO: O padrão de desigualdade em saúde no Brasil indica polarização entre as regiões e estados, assim como justaposição de doenças ligadas ao atraso e ao desenvolvimento, demandando um sistema de saúde comprometido com essas questões.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the inequalities found using health indicators in the states and regions of Brazil, according to 1999 socioeconomic and demographic indicators. METHODS: An exploratory ecological cross-sectional study was carried out. The units of analysis were Brazilian states (n = 27) and regions (n = 5). Descriptive measures of inequality were calculated. PearsonÆs correlation and also linear regression analysis were used to identify associations between health indicators and selected socioeconomic and demographic indicators. The health indicators analyzed were: life expectancy at birth, infant mortality rate, mortality rate for children < 5 years due to acute diarrheal diseases and to acute respiratory infections, and deaths due to homicides and traffic accidents. RESULTS: Important gains were seen in life expectancy at birth over the 1991-1999 period, especially for males. There was a trend towards larger gains in states that had had lower life expectancy at birth in 1991, which produced greater homogeneity across Brazil in this indicator in recent years. The infant mortality rate decreased by 28% between 1991 and 1999. However, this indicator still varies widely among the regions-from 52.5 per 1 000 live births in the northeast to 17.1 per 1 000 in the south-and among states-from 64.0 per 1 000 in Alagoas to 15.1 per 1 000 in Rio Grande do Sul. With respect to children < 5 years, the mortality rate due to acute diarrheal diseases was equal to or higher than the national median (4.1 per 10 000) in all the northeastern states, and the mortality rate due to acute respiratory infections was equal to or higher than the national median (10.8 per 10 000) in all the southern, southeastern, and central-western states. The mortality rates (standardized by sex and age) due to traffic accidents and to homicides in 1999 were 17.7 and 26.0 per 100 000 inhabitants, respectively. Extreme values were found in some states for mortality due to homicide (57.8 per 100 000 in Pernambuco) and traffic accidents (54.5 per 100 000 in Roraima). The mortality rate due to homicide was strongly associated with urbanization (P = 0.001). Higher mortality rates due to traffic accidents were associated with lower poverty levels (beta = -0.93; P < 0.001), lower literacy rates (beta = -1.16; P = 0.005), and larger population growth over the past decade (beta = 3.10; P = 0.016). CONCLUSION: The pattern of health inequality in Brazil indicates a polarization among regions and states as well as a juxtaposition of diseases associated with underdevelopment and diseases linked to development, suggesting the need for a health system that is committed to addressing these issues.

Over the past decade, according to several important indicators, health conditions have improved in the Region of the Americas. However, inequalities persist among the countries of the Region. This article has two primary objectives: 1) to provide some unbiased evidence on health inequalities among countries of the Region of the Americas and 2) to illustrate the application of some of the more frequently used methods for measuring inequalities, including effect measurements, population attributable risk, the slope index of inequality, the relative index of inequality, and the concentration index. Analyses have shown that there are great health disparities in the Region of the Americas. For example, residents of the poorest countries of the Region live nearly 10 years less, on average, than do residents of the richest countries. If the other countries of the Americas had the same incidence of tuberculosis as does the subregion of North America (Bermuda, Canada, and the United States of America), there would be 76% fewer cases of this disease in the Region. In the Americas, nearly 35% of deaths of infants under 1 year old are concentrated in the 20% of live births that occur in the group with the lowest income. As for maternal mortality in the Americas, fewer than 2% of maternal deaths occur in association with the 20% of live births in the group with the highest income. The analyses of health inequalities based on the use of various methods highlight the existence of important disparities among subregions and countries of the Americas that are not readily seen when using only the more-traditional methods for analyzing mortality and morbidity. There is also a need to incorporate the concepts of distribution and socioeconomic dimensions of health when interpreting a given situation. Using this approach will allow decisionmakers to target areas and populations that are in less-favorable conditions. A considerable body of aggregate data at the Regional and country levels from routine information systems is already available¨especially on morbidity, mortality, and other health-related factors¨that can be used on a regular basis to analyze health inequalities. These kinds of analyses may be regarded as a first step toward the identification of health inequities.

Según varios indicadores importantes, las condiciones de salud han mejorado en la Región de las Américas a lo largo de la pasada década. Sin embargo, sigue habiendo desigualdades entre los pa¦ses de la Región. Este artículo tiene dos objectivos principales: 1) aportar algunos datos objetivos sobre las desigualdades de salud entre los países de la Región de las Américas, y 2) ilustrar la aplicación de algunos de los métodos utilizados con más frecuencia para medir las desigualdades, como las mediciones de efecto, el riesgo atribuible poblacional, el índice de desigualdad de la pendiente, el índice relativo de desigualdad y el índice de concentración. Los análisis muestran que hay grandes disparidades de salud en la Región de las Américas. Por ejemplo, los residentes en los países más pobres de la Región viven, por término medio, cerca de 10 años menos que los residentes en los países más ricos. Si otros países americanos tuvieran la misma incidencia de tuberculosis que la subregión de Norteamérica (Bermuda, Canadá y Estados Unidos), habría un 76% menos de casos de esta enfermedad en la Región. En América, cerca de 35% de las muertes de niños menores de 1 año se concentran en 20% de los nacidos vivos del grupo con menores ingresos. Por otro lado, las muertes maternas asociadas a 20% de los nacidos vivos del grupo con mayores ingresos representan menos de 2% de la mortalidad materna. Los análisis de las desigualdades de salud basadas en el uso de diversos métodos destacan la existencia de importantes disparidades entre las subregiones y países americanos que no son fácilmente detectables cuando solo se usan los métodos más tradicionales para el análisis de la mortalidad y morbilidad. También hay necesidad de incorporar los conceptos de distribución y las dimensiones socioeconómicas de la salud al interpretar una determinada situación. El uso de este enfoque les permitirá a las instancias decisorias identificar las áreas y las poblaciones que se encuentran en condiciones más desfavorables. En la actualidad ya existe un volumen considerable de datos agregados, tanto regionales como nacionales, procedentes de los sistemas de información convencionales y referidos especialmente a la mortalidad, la morbilidad y otros factores relacionados con la salud, que se pueden utilizar de forma regular para analizar las desigualdades de salud. Estos tipos de análisis pueden considerarse un primer paso hacia la identificación de las inequidades en salud.

RESUMO A mensuração das desigualdades em saúde é uma condição indispensável para se avançar na melhoria da situação de saúde da Região, onde a análise de valores médios deixou de ser suficiente. Este tipo de análise é uma ferramenta fundamental para ações que buscam maior eqüidade em saúde. Existem diferentes métodos de mensuração e níveis de complexidade, cuja escolha depende do objetivo do estudo. Este artigo tem como objetivo familiarizar os profissionais de saúde e os tomadores de decisão com os aspectos metodológicos da mensuração e da análise simples das desigualdades em saúde, utilizando-se dados básicos coletados rotineiramente e agregados por unidades geopolíticas. São apresentadas as formas de calcular os seguintes indicadores e são discutidas suas vantagens e desvantagens: Razão e Diferença de Taxas, Índice de Efeito, Risco Atribuível Populacional, Índice de Dissimilaridade, Índice Angular de Desigualdade e Índice Relativo de Desigualdade, Coeficiente de Gini e Índice de concentração. Os métodos apresentados são aplicáveis na mensuração de desigualdades em diferentes tipos e níveis de análise.

RESUMEN La medición de las desigualdades en el campo de la salud es una condición indispensable para avanzar en la mejoría de la situación de salud de la Región, donde el análisis de los valores medios ha dejado de ser suficiente. Este tipo de análisis es una herramienta fundamental para la acción en busca de una mayor equidad en salud. Existen diferentes métodos de medición y niveles de complejidad cuya elección depende del objetivo del estudio. Este artículo tiene como objetivo familiarizar a los profesionales de la salud y a las instancias decisorias con los aspectos metodológicos de la medición y el análisis simple de las desigualdades en el campo de la salud, utilizando datos básicos registrados con regularidad y agregados por unidades geopolíticas. Se presenta la forma de calcular los siguientes indicadores y se comentan sus ventajas y desventajas: la razón y la diferencia de tasas, el índice de efecto, el riesgo atribuible poblacional, el índice de disimilitud, el índice de desigualdad de la pendiente y el índice relativo de desigualdad, el coeficiente de Gini y el índice de concentración. Los métodos presentados son aplicables a la medición de las desigualdades de diferentes tipos y a distintos niveles de análisis.

ABSTRACT Measuring health inequalities is indispensable for progress in improving the health situation in the Region of the Americas, where the analysis of average values is no longer sufficient. Analyzing health inequalities is a fundamental tool for action that seeks greater equity in health. There are various measurement methods, with differing levels of complexity, and choosing one rather than another depends on the objective of the study. The purpose of this article is to familiarize health professionals and decision-making institutions with methodological aspects of the measurement and simple analysis of health inequalities, utilizing basic data that are regularly reported by geopolitical unit. The calculation method and the advantages and disadvantages of the following indicators are presented: the rate ratio and the rate difference, the effect index, the population attributable risk, the index of dissimilarity, the slope index of inequality and the relative index of inequality, the Gini coefficient, and the concentration index. The methods presented are applicable to measuring various types of inequalities and at different levels of analysis.

As described in the scientific literature, indices used to measure social inequalities in health have positive features, but they also have shortcomings, depending on how they are applied. The objective of this article is to put forward and to demonstrate, in both theoretical and practical terms, the advantages of measurements of inequality based on the notion of entropy, which is well known in physics and in information theory. The article defines and presents the main properties of indices based on the notions of entropy and redundancy. The application of the indices is illustrated with two fictitious data sets and also with real data derived from basic health indicators for the Americas, from the Pan American Health Organization. Indices based on the notion of entropy have properties that include: a) not varying with scale changes, b) being symmetrical, c) incorporating a socioeconomic dimension, and d) being easy to interpret thanks to the condition of equivalence between entropy and a system with two categories.

Los índices descritos en la literatura para medir las desigualdades de salud de carácter social tienen facetas positivas pero también algunas insuficiencias, según las circunstancias de su aplicación. El objetivo de este artículo es proponer y demostrar, en los planos teórico y práctico, las ventajas de las mediciones de la desigualdad basadas en la noción de entropía, conocida ampliamente en la física y la teoría de la información. Se definen y exponen las principales propiedades de los índices basados en las nociones de entropía y redundancia. Se ilustra su aplicación en dos conjuntos de datos ficticios y en datos reales, derivados de los indicadores básicos de salud para las Américas, de la Organización Panamericana de la Salud. Los índices basados en la noción de entropía poseen, entre otras, las siguientes propiedades: a) no varían con los cambios de escala; b) son simétricos; c) incorporan la dimensión social, y d) son fáciles de interpretar gracias a la condición de equivalencia entre la entropía y un sistema con dos clases.