The Incidence of Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases among women benefiting from conditional cash transfers in Brazil
According to the World Health Organization, Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are now the leading cause of poor health in low and middle income countries. In Brazil NCDs are a significant health problem accounting for 75% of causes of death. This comparative study aimed to determine links between NCDs, poverty and inequality. Findings demonstrate that women of reproductive age from low income households in Brazil had higher incidence of all major NCD risk factors i.e. obesity, hypertension, high blood pressure, cholesterol and tobacco and alcohol use. The conditional cash transfer programme Bolsa Familia was used to identify disadvantaged groups of women. Bolsa Familia targets the poorest households in the country and most beneficiaries are women. The causes of these health disparities are closely associated with low levels of education and income, lower access to health care as well as racial inequalities.
Citation
Carvalho, Q.H.D., Sá, A.C.M.G.N.D., Bernal, R.T.I. and Malta, D.C., 2021. Distribution of indicators for chronic non-communicable diseases in adult women beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of the Bolsa Família Program—Vigitel 2016–2019. Revista Brasileira de Epidemiologia, 24.