Deaths from infectious respiratory diseases in the Indigenous population: spatial and time series analysis, Minas...

To analyze the temporal trend and spatial distribution of deaths from respiratory tract infections in the Indigenous population residing in Minas Gerais, Brazil, between 2000 and 2023.

Time-series and multiple-group analysis of deaths recorded in the Brazilian Mortality Information System (Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade, SIM), coded according to the underlying cause of death as respiratory tract infections based on the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). The number of deaths was calculated according to demographic and clinical characteristics. In the trend analysis, the Joinpoint regression model was used to estimate the annual percent change (APC), and for spatial analysis, the global and local Moran's I indices were applied.

A total of 271 deaths were recorded, predominantly affecting females (51.7%), widowed individuals (30.3%), those with low educational level (49.1%), and older adults (62.7%). In 65.3% of cases, the infection affected the lower respiratory tract, and in 53.5% of cases, the etiologic agent was unspecified. Health macroregions exhibited a downward trend in deaths between 2020 and 2023, namely Central (APC -6.1), East (APC -38.3), and North (APC -25.0). Spatial analysis using Moran's quadrants identified significant clusters of deaths in São João das Missões, Belo Horizonte, and Bertópolis.

The results demonstrated a high number of deaths among older adults, with marked temporal and territorial inequalities. Specific and sustained public policies are needed to prevent health inequities and ensure equitable access to health services for Indigenous Peoples, alongside improvements to health information systems.