José Rodrigo Gobi

This dissertation presents two essays on the economics of chronic diseases in elderly, based on the Grossman model. The first essay aims to analyze the determinants of health perception in elderly for Brazil in 2013. In addition, to verify the existence of differences between the sexes in relation to the health self-assessment and the effect of these factors. The micro-data base of National Health Survey (PNS) of 2013 is used in present research, using the ordered Probit model. It was observed that educational level and income are crucial factors for health production of the population aged 60 years or more. Older women, white, non-obese, non-smokers, did not perform medical appointments in past year, consume alcoholic beverages moderately, reside in Southeast, South and Central West regions in Brazil and have not been diagnosed with any chronic diseases are associated with the best health results. The results also show that black elderly women have the worst health self-evaluations. In addition, women in higher income class (class A) and in labor market had less significant marginal effects than men. In the second essay of the dissertation, we analyzed the determinants of health stock in elderly diagnosed (or not) with diabetes and hypertension for Brazil in 2015. We also sought to evaluate the relationship between the educational factor, this stock and its determinants. It is used the micro-data of Risk Factors and Protection for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Inquiry (VIGITEL) of 2015 and the bivariate Probit model. It is noted that the lifestyle of elderly is systematically related to important health outcomes. Smoking, sweet and soda consumption, high salt consumption, unhealthy diet, and sedentary lifestyle are significantly associated with lower health stock of elderly. It is also perceived the importance of education, due to the strong relation with the health production of this population. The results of dissertation point out the need to develop strategies to raise the awareness of the process of healthy aging, through actions that aim to disseminate information about laughter behaviors (obesity, alcoholism, smoking and unhealthy diet). Finally, it is emphasized that education policies can be effective in raising population health.