[Impacts of non-transmissible chronic diseases on social security benefits]

This paper strives to identify the current impact of Non-Transmissible Chronic Diseases (NTCDs) on sickness and disability benefits paid out by Brazil's National Social Security Institute (INSS) between 2000 and 2002. A total of 17,970 new cases were studied, registered at the two local agencies in Recife, Pernambuco State, Northeast Brazil. Initially the cases were divided up according by major diseases groups, following the CID-10 classification. Osteomuscular diseases (OMDs) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) were among the main reasons for granting sickness benefits. Among the disability benefits, CVDs, mental disorders (MDs), and OMDs, were the main reasons. In terms of specific diseases within the major DCNT groups, the main reasons for granting sickness benefits were high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, arthrosis, breast and intestinal cancer, mood disorders and schizophrenia. For disability benefits, the main causes were cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, cancer of the gastro-intestinal tract and schizophrenia. Most (66%) of the recipients were men between 39 and 58 years of age, and the initial value of the benefit was of up to three minimum wages per month.