Socioeconomic indicators and economic investments influence oral cancer mortality in Latin America

Elza Cristina Farias de Araújo,Edson Hilan Gomes de Lucena,Deborah Ellen Wanderley Gomes Freire,Fernanda Campos de Almeida Carrer,Aldelany Ramalho Freire,Gilberto Alfredo PuccaJúnior,Simone Alves de Sousa,Yuri Wanderley Cavalcanti

doi:10.1186/s12889-021-10419-2

Elza Cristina Farias de Araújo, Edson Hilan Gomes de Lucena + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10419-2

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Abstract

BackgroundIt is necessary to recognize the influence of socioeconomic factors on oral cancer indicators in Latin American countries. This study aimed to analyze the influence of socioeconomic indicators and economical investments on oral cancer mortality rates in Latin American countries.MethodsThis cross-sectional study considered the age-standardized mortality rate (ASR) of oral cancer within the period 2000–2015. The oral cancer mortality rate (for both sexes and age groups 40–59 and 60 years old or more), socioeconomic aspects (Gini Inequality Index, unemployment rate and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita) and investments in different sectors (%GDP invested in health per capita and by the government, %GDP invested in education by the government and %GDP invested in research and development) were considered. Tweedie multivariate regression was used to estimate the effect of independent variables on the mortality rate of oral cancer, considering p < 0.05.ResultsThis study showed that being male and aged 60 or over (PR = 14.7) was associated with higher mortality rate for oral cancer. In addition, greater inequality (PR = 1.05), higher health expenditure per capita (PR =1.09) and greater investment in research and development (PR = 1.81) were associated with a higher mortality rate from oral cancer.ConclusionSocioeconomic factors and economical investments influence the mortality rate of oral cancer in Latin American countries. This emphasizes oral cancer is a socioeconomic-mediated disease.

Highlights

It is necessary to recognize the influence of socioeconomic factors on oral cancer indicators in Latin American countries
The sample units of this study were the countries located in Latin America and the Caribbean, whose data regarding mortality from oral cancer, socioeconomic aspects and government investments were available in international databases
The Gini inequality coefficient, unemployment rate, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita, GDP percentage invested in health per capita, GDP percentage invested in health by the government, GDP percentage invested in education by the government and GDP percentage invested in research and development were extracted from the World Bank indicator system

Summary

Introduction

It is necessary to recognize the influence of socioeconomic factors on oral cancer indicators in Latin American countries. This study aimed to analyze the influence of socioeconomic indicators and economical investments on oral cancer mortality rates in Latin American countries. Oral cancer has high rates of morbidity and mortality around the world, and is considered a growing public health problem [1, 2]. The discussion on the role of socioeconomic factors as determinants for the disease has intensified, suggesting that socioeconomically vulnerable individuals are at increased risk for oral cancer and its complications [6,7,8]. The greater exposure to risk factors, limited access to health services and consequent low frequency of early diagnosis might explain the relationship between socioeconomic factors and incidence of oral cancer [9, 10].

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