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