# Socioeconomic and labor characterization and prevalence of chronic disease in the Colombian population in the periods 2010, 2013, and 2016: A multiple correspondence analysis

## TL;DR

This study shows that informal workers in Colombia have a higher risk of chronic diseases, suggesting that improving working conditions could enhance public health.

## Contribution

The study identifies labor informality as a key social determinant of chronic disease prevalence in Colombia using longitudinal data and MCA.

## Key findings

- Informal workers had a higher prevalence of chronic diseases compared to formal and semi-formal workers.
- Labor category was the most relevant social determinant of health variability in the studied population.
- The findings suggest policy interventions to improve working conditions could lead to better public health outcomes.

## Abstract

To analyze the relationship between the prevalence of chronic diseases and socioeconomic, demographic and occupational determinants in the Colombian population in 2010, 2013 and 2016. We sought to identify patterns of association between these variables and evaluate how they have evolved over time, with a particular emphasis on the implications for public health, especially in informal work contexts.

We used longitudinal data from the Colombian Longitudinal Urban Survey, which covers socioeconomic strata 1 to 4. The sample includes both men and women and heads of households and spouses, aged 18 to 65 years. The variables of interest are classified into three categories: health, labor and sociodemographic factors. The main methodology used was Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA).

Three different labor groups were identified in the sample: formal, semi-formal and informal. The informal workers group showed a higher prevalence of chronic diseases compared to the other two groups. Labor category was the social determinant of greatest relevance in health variability.

The study’s findings indicate that labor informality is associated with an elevated risk of developing chronic diseases in Colombia. These results highlight the necessity for policy interventions that prioritize enhancing working conditions as a strategy to achieve improved public health outcomes.

Analizar la relación entre la prevalencia de enfermedades crónicas y los determinantes socioeconómicos, demográficos y laborales en la población colombiana en los años 2010, 2013 y 2016. Se buscó identificar patrones de asociación entre estas variables y evaluar cómo han evolucionado a lo largo del tiempo, con un énfasis particular en las implicaciones para la salud pública, especialmente en contextos de trabajo informales.

Se utilizan datos de la Encuesta Longitudinal Colombiana Urbana, que abarca estratos socioeconómicos de 1 a 4. La muestra incluye tanto a hombres como mujeres y a jefes de hogar y cónyuges, con edades comprendidas entre los 18 y 65 años. Las variables de interés se clasifican en tres categorías: salud, factores laborales y sociodemográficos. La metodología principal empleada es el Análisis de Correspondencia Múltiple (MCA).

Se identificaron tres grupos laborales diferenciados en la muestra: formal, semi-formal e informal. El grupo de trabajadores informales mostró una mayor prevalencia de enfermedades crónicas en comparación con los otros dos grupos. La categoría laboral fue el determinante social de mayor relevancia en la variabilidad de la salud.

El estudio revela que la informalidad laboral está asociada con una mayor susceptibilidad a enfermedades crónicas en Colombia. Estos resultados subrayan la necesidad de intervenciones políticas enfocadas en mejorar las condiciones laborales como una estrategia para mejorar la salud pública.