Brazil : Maternal and Child Health
The health care system in Brazil has established the important principle of universal coverage, yet, it faces several key challenges: its expenditure patterns favor the regions that are already better off, and healthier, and, needs to take into acc...
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| Language: | English en_US |
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Washington, DC
2013
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| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2002/02/1743986/brazil-maternal-child-health http://hdl.handle.net/10986/15434 |
| Summary: | The health care system in Brazil has
established the important principle of universal coverage,
yet, it faces several key challenges: its expenditure
patterns favor the regions that are already better off, and
healthier, and, needs to take into account diverse
practices, and cultures, in addition to considerations for
the weak referral system. The report focuses on the health
care system, particularly on enhancing maternal and prenatal
health, certain health care interventions, such as
immunizations, oral rehydration therapy, and case
management. Chapter 1 argues that the major reason for the
maternal and child health risks is the concentration of
illness and death among the poor : infant mortality rates
jump 80-100 percent from the next to lowest income quintile,
to the lowest. Several interventions, such as strategies to
promote productivity, increase economic opportunities, and
enhance maternal education among the poor, could help reduce
inequalities. Chapter 2 uses estimates of avoidable child
deaths to prioritize health interventions in the country,
and, Chapter 3 argues that the federal government programs
in women and children's health could be expanded by
prioritizing on failed expenditure patterns, improving
referral systems, and emphasizing the importance of
utilizing nutrition education. Chapter 4 makes policy
recommendations on sector goals, suggests basic actions to
achieve such goals, and provides measures to improve the
quality of care, and evaluation. |
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