Causas de mortes evitáveis em idosos de três capitais brasileiras, 2003-2007

Abstract

Objective: To describe the distribution of evitable mortality in the elderly by analyzing the differences between genders in the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte, Porto Alegre and Recife, in the years 2003 to 2007. Methodology: Data on mortality of elderly patients studied in the capitals in the years 2003 to 2007, were extracted from the CD ROM Information System (SIM). The tabulation was made from the program for Windows Tab - Tabwin. Results: The grouping of the most frequent causes of death from evitable causes was an average of 2.907 deaths (60%) and between them there are the non transmissible diseases (NTD) that were responsible for 2.418 deaths, representing 83.2% from all causes in the three capitals, the ischemic heart diseases are considered the most frequent. The infectious causes are second with 315 deaths (10.8%), respiratory infections are the leading causes of death in all capitals. Among the causes avoidable through actions of immunization, tuberculosis is the most frequent cause of death. Accidents and violence are 2,2 times more common in men and in all capitals stand out transportation accidents. Discussion: There is a predominance of deaths considered preventable mainly caused by non transmissible diseases, although co-exist mortality from infectious and parasitic diseases. However, the high proportion of deaths with ill-defined cause of death affects the quality of data, and underestimate other causes of death. To reduce premature mortality among the elderly is essential to invest in programs and actions for health promotion and disease prevention. It is necessary for the health system involves the population and make intersectoral activities.