Analysis of mortality rates from external causes from 2000 to 2020 in Brazil: A time-series

In the global context, mortality from external causes accounts for 10% of deaths, and 90% of them occur in developing countries, such as Brazil. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the trends in mortality due to external causes in Brazil from 2000 to 2020. This is an ecological time-series study based on information collected through secondary data. The dependent variable was deaths from external causes, according to Chapter XX of the International Classification of Diseases. The study analyzes education, years, regions and resident population as independent variables. According to the results of this study, Brazil recorded 12% of total deaths in the country as being from external causes, with the highest number recorded in 2017. Regarding the analysis of education, the data showed that the highest mortality rates are in the population with 4 to 11 years of schooling, in addition to a notable tendency towards reduction or deceleration in the growth of mortality among the population with 1 to 3 years of education. This results may be related to the increase in deaths from traffic accidents and suicide among the middle and low socioeconomic status, which represent the areas of the population that have the most years of education. In light of the findings, there is a need to redirect public policies with a focus on prevention toward the most affected regions and the emerging risk profile, through actions targeting mental health, traffic safety, and firearm control.