Studies developed over the last decade by researchers from the Center for Data and Knowledge Integration for Health (Cidacs), at Fiocruz Bahia, associate participation in the Bolsa Família Program with a reduction in maternal and child mortality.  A drop in the incidence of infectious diseases and hospitalizations related to mental disorders was also observed.  Related news: Bolsa Família lifted 5.1 million families out of poverty, says minister. One of the pieces of evidence considered most robust by researchers is related to maternal and child health. Among women who benefited from the program, the risk of death from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth was up to 31% lower compared to those who did not receive the benefit.  According to the researchers, the result is associated, among other factors, with greater access to prenatal care and health services encouraged by the program's conditionalities. The effects also appear early in life. In a study that analyzed more than 4 million births, pregnant women who benefited were less likely to give birth to children with low birth weight. The impact was even more significant among black and indigenous mothers.  Other research identified a reduction in the occurrence of premature births and a 16% drop in the mortality of children under five among families served by the program. Diseases  The set of studies also revealed important impacts on diseases associated with poverty. In the case of tuberculosis, for example, Bolsa Família beneficiaries had a 41% lower incidence of the disease and a 31% reduction in the risk of death after diagnosis. Among indigenous people, the drop in mortality was even more significant. Similar results were observed in relation to HIV/AIDS. Monitoring more than 22 million Brazilians showed a lower incidence of the disease, lower mortality and better indicators among the poorest groups of the population. The researchers also identified a reduction in the occurrence of leprosy in municipalities with high transmission and an increase in treatment adherence and cure rates among beneficiaries. mental health One of the studies showed that the suicide rate was 56% lower among people covered by Bolsa Família. Other analyzes showed a reduction in hospitalizations for psychiatric disorders and problems related to the use of alcohol and other drugs, especially in municipalities with higher poverty rates. For epidemiologist Mauricio Barreto, from Fiocruz Bahia, the results help to understand how economic and social factors directly influence health outcomes.  "Numerous health problems are determined by social and economic factors, especially poverty and inequalities. Reducing poverty and encouraging the use of health, education and social assistance services must be part of efforts to make the Brazilian population healthier," he said. Searches The results were presented this week during a webinar that brought together Brazilian and foreign scientists to discuss the main findings produced from the so-called Cohort of 100 Million Brazilians. The research used data from the Federal Government's Single Registry for Social Programs (CadÚnico) crossed with information on births, hospitalizations, disease notifications and deaths. Using this set of data, the researchers sought to measure the effects of income transfers on the health of the country's most vulnerable population. According to Mauricio Barreto, the studies reinforce that the fight against poverty must also be understood as a health promotion strategy. “The existence of the Unified Health System is fundamental to protect and meet the needs of the population, but when it works in conjunction with a robust social protection program, such as Bolsa Família, it becomes possible to reduce the effects of the main social determinants that negatively affect health”, he stated during the meeting. The researchers highlight that the studies were carried out based on evaluation methodologies considered innovative for public policies, allowing the comparison of population groups with similar characteristics and estimating the effects of the program over time. The evidence produced by Cidacs over the last ten years reinforces, according to the authors, the importance of integration between social protection policies and the health system.