Mortalidad infantil en Argentina: avances, desigualdades provinciales y factores sociales asociados (2016-2022)

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Abstract
Introduction: Mortality in the first months of life is a key demographic indicator for the analysis of socioeconomic development, which in the Argentine case reflects large provincial asymmetries due to socioeconomic, health and environmental factors. Objectives: This article analyzes the evolution of infant mortality rates (IMR) in Argentina in a recent time frame (2016-2022) and examines the social and environmental factors associated with its prevalence at the provincial level. Methodology: A longitudinal ecological study using birth and death data from the National Ministry of Health and the Permanent Household Survey (Total Urbano, INDEC). Annual rates and provincial coefficients of variation were calculated, and multiple linear regression models were applied to estimate associations with socioeconomic variables and basic infrastructure. Results: The IMR showed a downward trend, with persistent regional inequalities. The lowest rates were recorded in the south (Tierra del Fuego, Neuquén), and the highest in the northeast (Formosa, Corrientes). Neonatal mortality was mainly associated with maternal age, quality of health infrastructure, and exposure to flood zones, while postneonatal mortality was more closely associated with maternal educational level, access to mains gas, and sanitation conditions. In both cases, better basic services were associated with lower rates. Conclusions: The incorporation of housing and basic services indicators into the analysis of infant mortality provides novel evidence for Argentina. Political policies to improve health infrastructure are required to reduce territorial asymmetries.

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