Socioeconomic inequalities related to noncommunicable diseases and their limitations: National Health Survey, 2019.

OBJECTIVE

to analyze socioeconomic inequalities in the self-reported prevalence of NonCommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and their disabilities in the Brazilian adult population.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study with data from the National Health Survey carried out in 2019. The self-reported prevalences of individuals with some noncommunicable diseases were calculated, according to sociodemographic characteristics; and the prevalence and prevalence ratio of these diseases and degrees of disability, according to education and possession of a private health plan.

RESULTS

47.6% of the population reported having at least one noncommunicable diseases. Noncommunicable diseases increased progressively with age and were more prevalent in women (PR 1.13; 95%CI 1.1-1.15), in black (PR 1.04; 95%CI 1.01-1, 06) or brown individuals (PR 1.05; 95%CI 1.01-1.09), illiterate or with incomplete elementary education (PR 1.12; 95%CI 1.08-1.16), in the Southeast (PR 1.10; 95%CI 1.05-1.14) and the South (PR 1.07; 95%CI 1.03-1.12) and among individuals who do not have private health insurance (PR 1.02; 95%CI 1.0-1.05). For the majority of noncommunicable diseases investigated, the highest reports of disabilities were among those with low education and without health insurance.

CONCLUSION

adults with less education and without private health plans have a higher prevalence of noncommunicable diseases and a higher degree of disability. Thus, it is important to analyze health indicators in the face of different populations and disparities, in order to understand and monitor health inequalities.