Morbidity and mortality associated with injuries: results of the Global Burden of Disease study in Brazil, 2008

• Published in: Cadernos de saúde pública Vol. 31; no. 1; pp. 121 - 136
• Main Authors: Campos, Mônica Rodrigues, von Doellinger, Vanessa dos Reis, Mendes, Luiz Villarinho Pereira, Costa, Maria de Fatima dos Santos, Pimentel, Thiago Góes, Schramm, Joyce Mendes de Andrade
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz 01.01.2015; Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz
• Subjects: Accidentes; Acidentes; Age Distribution; Age Factors; Brazil - epidemiology; Causas Externas; Cause of Death; Cost of Illness; Costo de Enfermedad; Efeitos Psicossociais da Doença; Female; Health Information Systems; Health Policy & Services; Health Status; Homicidio; Homicídios; Humans; Life Expectancy; Male; Prevalence; Quality-Adjusted Life Years; Sex Factors; Wounds and Injuries - mortality; Brazil; External Causes; Homicide; Acidentes; Efeitos Psicossociais da Doença; Causas Externas; Cost of Illness; Costo de Enfermedad; Homicídios; Homicidio; Accidentes; Accidents
• ISSN: 0102-311X; 1678-4464; 1678-4464; 0102-311X
• DOI: 10.1590/0102-311X00191113

The aim of this study was to estimate the global burden of disease from external causes in 2008 in Brazil, based on DALYs (disability-adjusted life years). YLLs (years of life lost) were estimated according to the method proposed by Murray & Lopez (1996). Meanwhile, the method for estimating YLDs (years lived with disability) included methodological adjustments taking the Brazilian reality into account. The study showed a total of 195 DALYs per 100 thousand inhabitants, of which 19 DALYs were related to external causes. Among YLLs, 48% were from unintentional causes and 52% from intentional causes. Among YLDs, unintentional causes predominated, with 95%. The share of YLLs in DALYs was 90%. The cause with the highest proportion of YLLs was "homicide and violence" (43%), followed by "road traffic accidents" (31%). Falls accounted for the highest share of YLDs (36%). The sex ratio (male-to-female) was 4.8 for DALYs, and the predominant age bracket was 15-29 years. Since external causes are avoidable, the study provides potentially useful information for policymakers in public security and health.