Income inequality and homicide rates in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Objectives. This study determined the effect of income inequality on homici de rates in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Methods. We conducted an ecological study at 2 geographical levels, municip alities in the state of Rio de Janeiro and administrative regions in the mu nicipality of Rio de Janeiro. The association between homicide and income i nequality was tested by multiple regression procedures, with adjustment for other socioeconomic indicators. Results. For the municipalities of Rio de Janeiro State, no association bet ween homicide and income concentration was found, an outcome that can be ex plained by the municipalities' different degrees of urbanization. However, for the administrative regions in the city of Rio de Janeiro, the 2 income inequality indicators were strongly correlated with the outcome variable (P < .01). Higher homicide rates were found precisely in the sector of the ci ty that has the greatest concentration of slum residents and the highest de gree of income inequality. Conclusions. The findings suggest that social policies specifically aimed a t low-income urban youth, particularly programs to reduce the harmful effec ts of relative deprivation, may have an important impact on the homicide ra te.