Infant Mortality Rises in Brazil for the First Time Since 1990

The Ministry of Health reported today that after 25 years of sustained decline, the infant mortality rate in Brazil has increased in 2016, partly because of the Zika virus and the economic crisis suffered by the South American giant.

According to the Ministry, since 1990, Brazil has presented an average annual reduction in mortality rate of 4.9% and, in 2013, reached the goal of a two-thirds reduction in the infant mortality by reducing the index by 70%.

In 2016, the mortality rate of the South American giant was 14% compared to 13.3% recorded in 2015.

Although for the Ministry the rate of 2016 "does not characterize a significant increase" in Infant mortality indices, this portfolio advances public health programs for this population of the country, especially in home care areas in 98.6% of the national territory. "

" There are 42 855 teams, in 5 497 The infant mortality rate is calculated from the number of deaths of children under one year of age for each child and solve up to 39. 80% of health problems. On the other hand, it is explained that Brazil has recorded a fall in the birth rate in 2016, which can also be explained by the Zika virus epidemic and the consequences of the recession that the country suffered in 2015 and 2016.

Brazil was facing a deep recession that resulted in an economic contraction of 3.5% in 2015 and the same percentage in 2016.

"In 2016, there was a 5.3% reduction in the birth rate in Brazil, partly due to the postponement of pregnancy and partly to the impact of the Zika virus epidemic "which has The ministry said in a statement that "children are the ones who suffer most from socio-economic changes".