ABSTRACT
The main purpose of this paper is to present some indicators of the development of the health situation in the country, particularly in regard to mortality in infants under one year of age, adolescents, and women of childbearing age. It also discusses the availability and other characteristics of prenatal, puerperal, and pediatric care provided by sponsoring agencies (public and private). The characteristics of the health services are also examined in relation to the socioeconomic characteristics of the population. The conclusions bring out the precariousness of the health conditions of the Brazilian population and the quantitative and qualitative deficiencies of the services available to them, inasmuch as many deaths could be avoided by vaccination or preventive treatment, early médical diagnosis and treatment, and environmental sanitation measures