CANCER MORTALITY IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN BRAZIL: TEMPORAL TREND ANALYSIS BY MACRO-REGIONS, 2013 TO 2023

Abstract

Childhood cancer is a significant public health problem, being one of the leading causes of mortality among children and adolescents in Brazil. Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, regional inequalities persist, influencing outcomes, especially in a country with large socioeconomic differences and unequal access to health services. In this context, analyzing cancer mortality in this population is fundamental to informing public policies. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the temporal trend of cancer mortality rates in children and adolescents aged 0 to 19 years in Brazilian macro-regions, from 2013 to 2023. Method: This is an ecological time-series study, using data from the Mortality Information System and population estimates from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. Deaths from neoplasms in individuals aged 0 to 19 years were included. Rates were calculated per 100,000 inhabitants and analyzed using Prais-Winsten regression. Results: 29,202 deaths were recorded, with the highest concentration among adolescents. A reduction in rates was observed in all regions, with the greatest decline in the Central-West. Regional inequalities persisted, with higher rates in the North and Northeast and lower rates in the Southeast.