In this article we used data from a national household survey in Brazil (PNAD/98) to examine the association between household income per capita and several indicators of health condition (report of selected chronic diseases, self rated health, inability to perform routine activities because of a health problem, and staying in bed recently), impairment (level of difficulty to perform selected physical activities) and use of medical and dental services. A representative sample of the Brazilian population aged <FONT FACE=Symbol>³</FONT> 20 years (n=197297) participated in the study. The characteristics of people in the lower quintile of the distribution of household income per capita of older adults were compared with those with higher income (< 0,67 vs <FONT FACE=Symbol>³</FONT> 0,67 Brazilian minimum wage). The data analysis was stratified by age (20-64 and <FONT FACE=Symbol>³</FONT> 65 years). The results showed that the health conditions of both, older and younger adults, were similarly affected by socioeconomic circumstances. Those with lower household income per capita, independently of age, presented worse health conditions and worse physical functioning, and less use of medical and dental services. The results of this study indicate that policies aiming at reducing income inequalities are equally important to improve the health of older and younger adults in this country.
Socioeconomic circumstances; Social inequities and health; Ageing; Brazil; PNAD
