Epidemiological Transitions in Venezuela: Spatial Differences in the Causes of Death, 2000-2010

Abstract

In the attempt to build theoretical frameworks that synthesize the explanations given for changes in epidemiological profiles throughout history, the theory of epidemiological transition arises. Many have been the questions made to this theory, among them those made by Frenk et al. (1991a) who point to the idea of an alternative transition model for Latin America, called polarized-prolonged. Through the verification of the hypotheses of this transition model, the structure of the causes of death in Venezuela is analyzed in the consideration of the urban bias, during the years 2000 to 2010. For this, correlations are used (bivariate and partial) and simple regressions of the standardized mortality rates of the population aged 5 and over. The results obtained indicate the approach to the proposed model in the structure and evolution of the epidemiological profile in Venezuela. Despite the variations between the sexes, the differentials introduced by urbanization explain much of the polarization and overlap of stages found in the profile.

Keywords

• Structure of causes of death
• Mortality patterns
• Epidemiological transition
• Mortality in Venezuela
• Polarized-prolonged model