Rogelio Gonzalez ^1*, Jennifer Harris Requejo ², Jyh Kae Nien ³, Mario Merialdi ⁴, Flavia Bustreo ⁵, Ana Pilar Betran ⁴

¹ Department of Disease Prevention and Control, Minstry of Health, Chile
² Population Research Center, University of Texas
³ Center for Perinatal Diagnosis, Pontifica Catholic University of Chile
⁴ Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization
⁵ Partnership for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: rogonzalez{at}minsal.gov.cl.

	Abstract

Objectives. We analyzed trends in maternal, newborn, and child mortality in Chile between 1990 and 2004, after the introduction of national interventions and reforms, and examined associations between trends and interventions.

Methods. Data were provided by the Chilean Ministry of Health on all pregnancies between 1990 and 2004 (approximately 4000000). We calculated yearly maternal mortality ratios, stillbirth rates, and mortality rates for neonates, infants (aged >28 days and <1 year), and children aged 1 to 4 years. We also calculated these statistics by 5-year intervals for Chile’s poorest to richest district quintiles.

Results. During the study period, the maternal mortality ratio decreased from 42.1 to 18.5 per 100000 live births. The mortality rate for neonates decreased from 9.0 to 5.7 per 1000 births, for infants from 7.8 to 3.1 per 1000 births, and for young children from 3.1 to 1.7 per 1000 live births. The stillbirth rate declined from 6.0 to 5.0 per 1000 births. Disparities in these mortality statistics between the poorest and richest district quintiles also decreased, with the largest mortality reductions in the poorest quintile.

Conclusions. During a period of socioeconomic development and health sector reforms, Chile experienced significant mortality and inequity reductions.

Key Words: Health Care Facilities/Services, Health Policy, Access to Care, Maternal and Infant Health, Public Health Practice, Mortality