Função de produção de saúde em diferentes regiões e setores do Brasil

Abstract

This study uses the National Health and Nutrition Survey undertaken in 1989 to estimate infant's health production functions by regions and sectors in Brazil based on a household model. Linear and Cobb-Douglas production functions were estimated by two-stage least-squares method to control for the endogeneity of some explanatory variables. The results show the mother's health, her education and the time spend in the labor market affecting the infant's health as well as the great importance of breast feeding as an input in the production of the infant's health. As policy implications, it is suggested improvements in the quantity and quality of child care centers, investments in education and incentives to breast feed the infants at least in their fast months of life.