ANALYSIS OF MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY FROM INFECTIOUS AND PARASITIC DISEASES IN THE ELDERLY IN BRAZIL: A RETROSPECTIVE ASSESSMENT FROM 2018 TO 2023

Abstract

The interdependence between demographic and socioeconomic factors in Brazil has shaped the country's morbidity and mortality profile, reflecting the ongoing epidemiological transition. Despite a decline in mortality from cardiovascular diseases and neoplasms, there is a concerning increase in infectious diseases, particularly among the elderly. Population aging, driven by decreased mortality and birth rates since 1970, points to a future with an increasingly elderly and infection-vulnerable population. This study examines hospitalizations for infectious and parasitic diseases among the elderly from December 2018 to December 2023. Using data from DATASUS/TABNET and the 2022 census from IBGE, variables such as gender, age group, and residence location were analyzed. Results indicate a significant increase in hospitalizations and mortality, with bacterial and viral diseases, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, being prominent. Women and white and mixed-race populations showed higher mortality rates. The pandemic had a significant impact on mortality rates, particularly in 2020 and 2021. The analysis underscores the importance of preventive strategies and specialized care for the elderly to improve quality of life and reduce morbidity and mortality.