IMPACT OF PNEUMONIA ON HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS AND SUS COSTS IN THE NORTHEAST REGION OF BRAZIL (2015-2024)

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate the number of hospitalizations for pneumonia between 2015 and 2024 in the Northeast region of Brazil and the costs to the SUS. To this end, a quantitative, descriptive, and ecological study was conducted using secondary data collected in January 2025 through the Hospital Information System of the Unified Health System (SIH/SUS) by the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System (DATASUS). The variables analyzed were: period (2015-2024), deaths, hospitalizations, age group, biological sex, average length of stay, and hospital costs. There were 1,481,948 hospitalizations, with a prevalence of 2023. The average hospital stay has remained above 6 days since 2016. The number of deaths was 126,650, with a total cost of R$1,349,478,470.20. It mainly affected the 0-4 and +70 age groups, accounting for 61.65%, with no significant distinction between biological sex. \ Pneumonia has had high hospitalization and mortality rates over the last decade, except for the pandemic period. The costs demonstrate the failure of PHC, which should reduce complications that cause hospitalizations but fails to do so, interfering with hospital costs. Children and the elderly are most affected - due to their immune vulnerability. Thus, it was concluded that the pathology has an impact on the Northeast region, as it increases morbidity and requires more plans to be controlled.