[Regional and socioeconomic disparities in mortality in Latin America].

Differences in life expectancy between various countries of Latin America decreased considerably between 1960 and 1979. More recently, this decrease has slowed down in the 1980s. Disparities between Latin American countries remain considerable. Indeed, some countries are near European standards, others are more similar to some countries of sub-Saharan Africa with low life expectancy. Statistical analysis has demonstrated that after 1960, disparities are associated with economic factors, life expectancy is lower than 64 years; with cultural factors life expectancy is higher. According to the results of a factoral analysis, it is possible to classify countries into six groups with regard to life expectancy.