Determinants of Neonatal Health in Brazil: An Econometric Analysis Using Population Data (2019–2023)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55892/jrg.v9i20.2919Keywords:
low birth weight, maternal education, prenatal care, public health, econometric modelsAbstract
This study analyzes the social determinants of health associated with low birth weight in Brazil, based on data from the Live Birth Information System (SINASC), covering the period from 2019 to 2023. The strategic choice of a five-year time frame is widely adopted in epidemiological and econometric research, as it aligns with best practices for the consolidation and analysis of historical series. The main objective is to examine the impact of maternal education and prenatal care on neonatal outcomes. Methodologically, a quantitative analysis was conducted using 12,754,366 observations, applying an Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression model with robust standard errors and a quadratic specification for maternal education. The results indicate that maternal education has a protective effect on birth weight, albeit with diminishing marginal returns, while the number of prenatal consultations shows a statistically significant impact on risk mitigation. The study concludes that policies aimed at expanding female education and strengthening prenatal care constitute fundamental strategies for improving perinatal outcomes and maternal and child health in Brazil.
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