Socioeconomic factors associated with tuberculosis incidence in Latin America: evidence from a panel data analysis, 2000–2024
1
Research Department. School of Nursing, Universidad de Cartagena, Colombia., CARTAGENA DE INDIAS, Colombia
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1391
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global public health challenge, as it is determined by socioeconomic factors that influence disease incidence. Therefore, identifying the factors associated with tuberculosis in Latin America is of particular interest.
METHODS:
A longitudinal ecological study was conducted including 18 Latin American countries over the period 2000–2024. Socioeconomic indicators were analyzed, including the Gini Index (GINI), Poverty Incidence (PI), Rurality Index (RI), Household Overcrowding Index (HOI), Illiteracy Rate (IRate), and Public Health Expenditure (PHE), obtained from the World Bank and CEPALSTAT. Missing values were addressed using multiple imputation by chained equations, with estimates combined according to Rubin’s rules to reduce bias due to incomplete data. Population Attributable Risks (PARs) were estimated using Epidat, and fixed-effects panel models by country and year were fitted in Stata.
RESULTS:
PAR estimates showed a sustained contribution of socioeconomic factors to TB incidence. On average, PI explained 40–70% of attributable risk, HOI 35–80%, RI 40–60%, and GINI approximately 20–30%, while PHE showed PARs close to 60% in more recent years. In the pre-COVID panel analysis, tuberculosis incidence was positively associated with GINI (β = 3.75; 95% CI: 1.54–5.88; p = 0.001), PI (β = 0.88; 95% CI: 0.17–1.58; p = 0.015), and HOI (β = 1.37; 95% CI: 0.02–2.72; p = 0.047), whereas PHE was inversely associated (β = −4.88; 95% CI: −9.60 to −0.09; p = 0.046). No statistically significant associations were observed during the post-COVID period.
CONCLUSIONS:
Tuberculosis in Latin America is shaped by socioeconomic inequalities, whose impact was more evident prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. This pattern suggests disruptions in surveillance systems and access to health services rather than a true reduction in risk. These findings highlight the importance of reducing social inequities and strengthening health financing for tuberculosis control.
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global public health challenge, as it is determined by socioeconomic factors that influence disease incidence. Therefore, identifying the factors associated with tuberculosis in Latin America is of particular interest.
METHODS:
A longitudinal ecological study was conducted including 18 Latin American countries over the period 2000–2024. Socioeconomic indicators were analyzed, including the Gini Index (GINI), Poverty Incidence (PI), Rurality Index (RI), Household Overcrowding Index (HOI), Illiteracy Rate (IRate), and Public Health Expenditure (PHE), obtained from the World Bank and CEPALSTAT. Missing values were addressed using multiple imputation by chained equations, with estimates combined according to Rubin’s rules to reduce bias due to incomplete data. Population Attributable Risks (PARs) were estimated using Epidat, and fixed-effects panel models by country and year were fitted in Stata.
RESULTS:
PAR estimates showed a sustained contribution of socioeconomic factors to TB incidence. On average, PI explained 40–70% of attributable risk, HOI 35–80%, RI 40–60%, and GINI approximately 20–30%, while PHE showed PARs close to 60% in more recent years. In the pre-COVID panel analysis, tuberculosis incidence was positively associated with GINI (β = 3.75; 95% CI: 1.54–5.88; p = 0.001), PI (β = 0.88; 95% CI: 0.17–1.58; p = 0.015), and HOI (β = 1.37; 95% CI: 0.02–2.72; p = 0.047), whereas PHE was inversely associated (β = −4.88; 95% CI: −9.60 to −0.09; p = 0.046). No statistically significant associations were observed during the post-COVID period.
CONCLUSIONS:
Tuberculosis in Latin America is shaped by socioeconomic inequalities, whose impact was more evident prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. This pattern suggests disruptions in surveillance systems and access to health services rather than a true reduction in risk. These findings highlight the importance of reducing social inequities and strengthening health financing for tuberculosis control.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
