Rural Health in Chile

Abstract

We examine the differences in health and health determinants between rural and urban settlements in the communes of nine (territorial) Health Services in Chile. To this end, the correlations between the percentage of rural population and the values of 28 indicators utilized for monitoring intercommunal health inequity in the year 2006 were calculated. Different associations were found in the different Services. Correlations showing a favourable situation in the rural areas were more numerous than those which suggest a negative effect of rurality on health. In some cases the information available allows us to identify the communes responsible for the differences attributed to residence in rural areas. The variables “rurality” and its complement, ”urbanity”, are complex entities and therefore it is recommended that, in each locality, the components that explain more accurately the differences found be identified. In any case, it is useful to consider the relationships between place of residence and health status, since discussions tend to be centered around the difficulties of providing health care in rural milieu.