Inequalities in Mortality from Breast and Cervical Cancer in Argentina in 2001-2016: Ecological Study

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Health inequalities are preventable. Breast cancer (BC) and cervical cancer (CC) are the most frequent in women. The objective of this study was to visualize inequalities in health through mortality by BC and CC in Argentina from 2001 to 2016. METHODS: An ecological study was performed. The population was composed of people who died from BC and CC in Argentina from 2001 to 2016. The sources used were: mortality database of the Statistics Direction, National Survey of Risk Factors 2013, and Census 2001 and 2010. Rates were adjusted. The unsatisfied basic needs (UBN) index was used. The relative index of inequality (RII) and concentration index were calculated. Joinpoint regression models were analyzed as well as their annual percentage change (APC), using Joinpoint Regression Program 4.1.0 and Epidat 4. RESULTS: The RII for BC had a downward trend. The APC for the period was -1% per year (p<0.05). According to the concentration curve, there was an approximation to the diagonal of equality in 2016 (concentration of deaths in provinces with lower index of UBN). The trend of RII for CC mortality was not significant, there was also an approximation to the diagonal of equality between 2001 and 2016 (deaths concentrated in provinceswith higher index of UBN). CONCLUSIONS: BC mortality inequality decreased between 2001 and 2016. Regarding CC mortality, inequality did not change significant