Resumo

VOLOCHKO, Anna  e  VIDAL, Natália de Paula. Racial inequalities in health: mortality in São Paulo State Health Regions. 2005. BIS, Bol. Inst. Saúde (Impr.) [online]. 2010, vol.12, n.2, pp. 143-153. ISSN 1518-1812.

ABSTRACT Brazilian blacks are a vulnerable social group with disadvantages in many fields. They have greater barriers to access social services, health care included. We analysed overall racial mortality rates by cause and ratios of black to white rates for 2005 in the 17 Regional Health Departments (DRS) of São Paulo State. Chapters with high levels of avoidable causes of death such as infectious diseases, mental disorders, pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium; ill definied and external causes presented great racial differences. In all DRS, except Araçatuba, blacks died more than whites, ranging from 8% in the Baixada Santista and Sorocaba to 2 to 3 times in Registro. Black’s mortality due to cancer exceeded that of whites in 9 DRS and due to respiratory diseases in 7. To comply with the State Health Plan it is mandatory that the DRSs propose measures to ensure racial health equity in their regions.

Palavras-chave : Racial inequalities in health; geographic and racial inequalities in mortality; State of São Paulo.