Mortality in Latin America: Emerging Patterns

Abstract

During the mid to late 1960s and the early 1970s the process of mortality decline in Latin America appears to have experienced some setbacks. Although by no means generalized a decrease in the pace of gains in life expectancy affected countries at relatively advanced stages of their mortality transition as well as those at early stages. In addition to the deceleration of the rates of gains of life expectancy Latin American countries exhibit a peculiar age pattern of mortality in infancy and early childhood. Investigation of the structure of the causes of death reveals that the factors responsible for excess mortality at these ages are quite different in different countries. However it appears that ultimately they may be traceable to inadequate standard of living. (summary in FRE SPA)