Mortality differences in elderly population in a municipality of southern Brazil, 1979-2004 - doi: 10.4025/cienccuidsaude.v9i1.10529

Abstract

Mortality for the elderly residents in the municipality of Maringá (Paraná State) was analyzed from 1979 to 2004 according to sex, age and causes of death. The data obtained from the national Information System of Mortality was analyzed by three-year periods, using the mortality rate and the relative variation. The proportional mortality for the elderly increased from 43% in the first three-year period to 65.9% in the last, and the relative variation for death rates decreased 19.2% and 20.3% for male and female, respectively. The overall male ratio mortality remained the same during the period (1.4), but for the circulatory system diseases increased from 1.1 in the first three-year period, to 1.3 in the last. The increase of longevity of the elderly population in Maringá and the increase of the male ratio mortality by age are the main results of this study, and they are consistent with the literature. It is necessary to emphasize the approach on male health, give visibility to the factors that weaken men’s health, and encourage the use of health services by the male population, as well as deal with inequity and inequalities in the aging process.