Academic Journal

International Journal for Equity in Health

A light of hope? Inequalities in mental health before and after the peace agreement in Colombia: a decomposition analysis

Summary

The study titled «A Light of Hope? Inequalities in Mental Health Before and After the Peace Agreement in Colombia: A Decomposition Analysis» examines the evolution of mental health inequalities in the Meta department from before to after the 2016 peace agreement. Employing the Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition method and data from the CONPAS survey, it analyzes the impact of changing socio-demographic factors on mental health disparities. The findings reveal a reduction in these inequalities, attributed to diminished influence from factors exacerbated by the conflict, even as overall mental health challenges increased.

The analysis highlights that, despite the overall worsening of mental health conditions, the peace agreement has facilitated a more equitable distribution of mental health risks across different socioeconomic groups. This paper underscores the importance of continuous monitoring and targeted mental health interventions in post-conflict settings to address both the legacy of conflict and ongoing socioeconomic disparities.