Mortality patterns in municipalities of a mining region before the Brumadinho dam failure, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract

Objectives: to describe the patterns of general mortality and mortality from external causes and the temporal evolution, in the municipalities of the Paraopeba River Basin, before the socio-environmental disaster of Brumadinho and, additionally, to investigate the correlation between mortality and socioeconomic deprivation (PPI) in these municipalities. Methods: mortality databases from the Global Burden of Disease Study in 26 municipalities in Minas Gerais. The researches analyzed the mortality databases from the Global Burden of Disease Study in 26 municipalities in Minas Gerais. General and external causes mortality rates were calculated in the triennia (T) T1 (2000 to 2002), T2 (2009 to 2011), and T3 (2016 to 2018). Pearson's correlation coefficient measured the association between mortality rates and socioeconomic deprivation, according to the Social Deprivation Index (IBP). Results: There was a decline in overall mortality in BHRP from 717.7/100,000 to 572.6/100,000 inhab, and in most municipalities between T1-T3. Mortality from external causes increased from 73.3/100,000 to 82.1/100,000. And they were higher in these municipalities compared to the average for Brazil and Minas Gerais. Deaths from suicide and interpersonal violence increased from 29.6/100,000 to 43.2/100,000 in most of the 26 municipalities. Unintentional accidents decreased during the period, and transportation accident rates increased. The association with socioeconomic deprivation (PPI) was positive with increased mortality rates. Conclusion: Despite the strong presence of mining activity in the region, this did not reflect in the improvement of the sanitary situation, the external causes increased in the period, associated with inequalities, which must be considered in the planning for the recovery of the disaster areas.