Efeitos de investimentos públicos na educação sobre a saúde pública: um estudo dos municípios de Minas Gerais

Abstract

Introduction - Extensive literature presents evidence regarding the association between educational level and healthier and longer lives, achieved through the development of stronger cognitive and social skills, healthier behaviors, higher incomes and social status. In this sense, increasing social public expenditures, especially on education, has an impact on public health spending and can result in healthier populations. In this intersection between aspects that promote health and the allocation of public resources, also with the objective of increasing social well-being, the research for the construction of this thesis was proposed and developed. Objective – The research aims to examine the impacts of public investments in education on the allocation of resources in public health within the scope of municipalities in the state of Minas Gerais. Methodology – Data from 853 municipalities in Minas Gerais in the period from 2010 to 2020 were analyzed. Information on public spending on health, education and social assistance, indicators of education, health and social assistance services, and rate indexes were used of mortalities. Using econometric models, static and dynamic panel data techniques were used. Generalized Moment Methods (GMM) were applied in order to undertake an appropriate analysis of public expenditures dynamics and greater robustness to the study. Research results – It was shown that government spending on education and social assistance has effects on public expenditures on health. When, in the previous year, public investment in education is increased by R$ 100.00 per capita, an average decrease in per capita health spending of R$ 196.28 is expected. An outcome where the causal relationship is observable. In addition, the results confirmed that health expenditures together with public education, health and social assistance services contribute directly and positively to the health status of the population. Conclusion – The results suggest that the allocation of multisectoral resources – education, health and social assistance – demonstrated to have synergy in order to obtain improvement in the population's health and, thus, achieve greater efficiency in budget management. It was evident that public services and social expenditures public beyond health impact the management of resources allocated to public health. Reinforcing the theory regarding the influence of social determinants of health and demonstrating the interrelationship between government spending in social areas and public health.