Resumo

SOUZA, Marcos José de; FERNANDES, Elaine  e  CARVALHO, Lucas Vitor de. Structural Determinants in the Spread of Waterborne Diseases in Brazil. Prob. Des [online]. 2014, vol.45, n.179, pp.117-136. ISSN 0301-7036.

The main objective of this article is to analyze variables describing quality of living and the environment in the Brazilian population, focusing on waterborne diseases and sanitation. To do so, this work used factor analysis and a panel data econometric model. The results reveal that percentage increases in sanitation levels decrease the number of hospitalizations at an even greater percentage magnitude. This suggests that investing in sanitation would greatly impact the prevention of outbreaks, because factors such as coverage for water utilities in urban areas and water quality are some of the principal aspects that determine morbidity rates.

Palavras-chave : Brazil; water; sanitation; environment; morbidity rates.