Statistical analysis of health inequalities in the Northern Region of Portugal

Abstract

Different public health needs demand differentiated interventions by the Health services in order to attain efficiency and thus reducing Health inequalities. The statistical model which was developed will allow the Public Health Services to conduct a diagnostic evaluation of Health inequalities, with a specification of the death causes and age groups that most contribute to those inequalities. It will also allow a prognostic evaluation by analyzing the impact of some interventions in reducing the relative gap in life expectancy, in terms of health gains.