La temporalidad de la transición epidemiológica en Chile, 1862-2018 / The temporality of the epidemiological transition in Chile, 1862-2018

Este artículo analiza la naturaleza y temporalidad de la transición epidemiológica (TE) en Chile, prestando especial atención a la composición de las causas de muerte en dicho país desde 1862 hasta el 2018. La evidencia aportada en este artículo permite establecer que la TE efectivamente ocurrió en Chile bajo el modelo “contemporáneo-tardío”, a lo que podríamos agregar el adjetivo “acelerado”. Nuestros resultados destacan lo reciente de la superación de la primera fase de la TE chilena en comparación con la mayor parte de los países desarrollados, debido al protagonismo que mantuvieron las enfermedades infecciosas como principal causa de muerte hasta mediados del siglo XX, así como lo acelerado de dicho proceso (el corto período de tiempo entre los años 1940s y los 1960s). La superación de la primera fase de la TE fue posible principalmente por la “importación” súbita de avances tecnológicos internacionales (sulfamidas y antibióticos en particular), en un periodo en que aún no se observaban mejoras nutricionales substantivas en la población, ni tampoco avances importantes en la provisión de servicios de agua potable o alcantarillado. (AU)

This article analyzes the nature and temporality of the epidemiological transition (ET) in Chile, paying special attention to the composition of the causes of death in that country from 1862 to 2018. The evidence provided in this article allows us to establish that the ET effectively occurred in Chile under the “contemporary-late” model, to which we could add the adjective “accelerated”. Our results highlight the recentness of the overcoming of the first phase of Chilean TE in comparison to most developed countries, due to the prominence of infectious diseases as the main cause of death until the middle of the 20th century and the acceleration of this process (the short time period between the 1940s and the 1960s). Overcoming the first phase of ET was mainly possible due to the sudden “importation” of international technological advances (sulfonamides and antibiotics in particular) during a period in which there were still no substantial nutritional improvements in the population or major advances in the supply of drinking water or sewage services. (AU)

[General and infant mortality trends in Chile from 1909 to 2017]. / Mortalidad general e infantil en Chile en el largo plazo, 1909-2017.

BACKGROUND: During the twentieth century, Chile experienced an important reduction in general mortality. AIM: To describe both general and infant mortality of Chile from 1909 to 2017. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analysis of information about births and deaths published by the Chilean National Institute of Statistics for the period between 1909 and 2017. RESULTS: Both general and infant mortality rates declined sharply from the 1930s to the late 1990s. However, during the last few years, general mortality rates increased slightly. This is the first increase in over a century. Another positive aspect is that there was a dramatic decrease in mortality rate gaps across Chilean regions, for both general and infant mortality. However, intraregional inequalities in infant mortality continue to be a detrimental factor. CONCLUSIONS: Public health efforts should be carried out to further reduce socioeconomic and regional gaps in adult and infant mortality in Chile.

Mortalidad general e infantil en Chile en el largo plazo, 1909-2017 / General and infant mortality trends in Chile from 1909 to 2017

Background: During the twentieth century, Chile experienced an important reduction in general mortality. Aim: To describe both general and infant mortality of Chile from 1909 to 2017. Material and Methods: Analysis of information about births and deaths published by the Chilean National Institute of Statistics for the period between 1909 and 2017. Results: Both general and infant mortality rates declined sharply from the 1930s to the late 1990s. However, during the last few years, general mortality rates increased slightly. This is the first increase in over a century. Another positive aspect is that there was a dramatic decrease in mortality rate gaps across Chilean regions, for both general and infant mortality. However, intraregional inequalities in infant mortality continue to be a detrimental factor. Conclusions: Public health efforts should be carried out to further reduce socioeconomic and regional gaps in adult and infant mortality in Chile.