Trends in mortality from suicide, drug use and alcohol-related diseases in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 2009-2021
1
Epidemiologia, Faculdade de Saúde Pública da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
2
School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada
3
Saúde Coletiva, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3204
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Suicide, and deaths associated to drug use and alcohol abuse are a health public issue. In Latin America, the suicide rates increased 9.5% between 1990 and 2021. Drug use and alcohol abuse were responsible for ~105,000 deaths in Brazil in 2019, which is equivalent to more than 250 deaths/day. The premature mortality has significant negative impacts on the economy. The global economic crisis alongside austerity measures have been associated to the significant increase in mortality from these causes, particularly in high-income countries. Little evidence is available on the mortality pattern and trend in Brazil – a country with the world’s highest levels of income concentration. This study aims to analyze the temporal trend of mortality rates from suicide, drug use, and alcohol-related diseases by sex and age groups in the most populous city in Brazil, Sao Paulo, from 2009 to 2021.
METHODS:
In this time-series study, we utilize the 10th revision of International Classification of Diseases (ICD), Brazilian Mortality Information System, and population estimates from the Seade Foundation. We estimated the mortality rates by sex and quinquennial age groups (20-74 years) and the percentual variation between 2009-2011 and 2019-2021. To estimate the annual percentage change (APC), we used Joinpoint Regression Program software.
RESULTS:
Mortality rates from drug use showed an increasing trend, with a variation of 9.9% increase. Mortality rates from alcohol-related diseases and suicide remained stable, with very high values. Furthermore, rates were significantly higher during the COVID-19 pandemic, with trends varying between sexes and age groups.
CONCLUSIONS:
Our findings draw attention to this complex, yet overlooked, public health issue in Brazil. The structural determinants of health and living conditions linked to mortality from these causes of death should be addressed through healthy public policies developed by intersectoral collaborations between the public health authorities and other government agencies.
Suicide, and deaths associated to drug use and alcohol abuse are a health public issue. In Latin America, the suicide rates increased 9.5% between 1990 and 2021. Drug use and alcohol abuse were responsible for ~105,000 deaths in Brazil in 2019, which is equivalent to more than 250 deaths/day. The premature mortality has significant negative impacts on the economy. The global economic crisis alongside austerity measures have been associated to the significant increase in mortality from these causes, particularly in high-income countries. Little evidence is available on the mortality pattern and trend in Brazil – a country with the world’s highest levels of income concentration. This study aims to analyze the temporal trend of mortality rates from suicide, drug use, and alcohol-related diseases by sex and age groups in the most populous city in Brazil, Sao Paulo, from 2009 to 2021.
METHODS:
In this time-series study, we utilize the 10th revision of International Classification of Diseases (ICD), Brazilian Mortality Information System, and population estimates from the Seade Foundation. We estimated the mortality rates by sex and quinquennial age groups (20-74 years) and the percentual variation between 2009-2011 and 2019-2021. To estimate the annual percentage change (APC), we used Joinpoint Regression Program software.
RESULTS:
Mortality rates from drug use showed an increasing trend, with a variation of 9.9% increase. Mortality rates from alcohol-related diseases and suicide remained stable, with very high values. Furthermore, rates were significantly higher during the COVID-19 pandemic, with trends varying between sexes and age groups.
CONCLUSIONS:
Our findings draw attention to this complex, yet overlooked, public health issue in Brazil. The structural determinants of health and living conditions linked to mortality from these causes of death should be addressed through healthy public policies developed by intersectoral collaborations between the public health authorities and other government agencies.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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