The infant mortality rate (IMR) is considered a good indicator of living conditions. It is simple to calculate and reflects the health conditions of the most vulnerable segment of the population: children less than one year of age. Official Brazilian data indicating a decrease of 31% in the IMR seem surprising, considering the deterioration in the country's economy, income, and employment. Still, the last decade witnessed important political decisions, especially the implementation of the Family Health Strategy and incentives under the so-called Basic Operational Norm (NOB)-96. The current study assesses how the Brazilian literature analyzed the infant mortality trends and possible associations with changes in the organization and financing of the Unified National Health System (SUS). A systematic review of the literature from 1998 to 2006 highlighted both the need to monitor the IMR and the importance of local studies, especially in cities with deficient data.
Infant Mortality; Health Public Policy; Health Family; Review Literature
