Publicação

Alcohol- and drug-related mortality in Brazil

Detalhes bibliográficos
Resumo:	SummaryBackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted healthcare services and intensified socio-economic vulnerabilities, potentially escalating harmful substance use. In Brazil, pre-pandemic mortality from alcohol and drug use was stable. However, the pandemic introduced new risks that may have triggered a significant increase in related deaths. This study, therefore, aims to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on alcohol- and drug-related deaths in Brazil from 2020 to 2022.MethodsThis population-based ecological study analyzed alcohol- and drug-related mortality across Brazil from 2015 to 2022 using data from the Brazilian Mortality Information System (SIM). Temporal trends were examined using Joinpoint regression, while interrupted time-series analyses assessed deviations post-pandemic onset. Spatial variations were visualized using choropleth maps.FindingsAlcohol- and drug-related mortality increased by 18.3% in 2020, 22.4% in 2021, and 26.0% in 2022. The Northeast (2020 = 24.9%; 2021 = 24.0%; 2022 = 31.8%), Southeast (2020 = 18.2%; 2021 = 24.3%; 2022 = 21.0%), and South (2020 = 13.1%; 2021 = 23.6%; 2022 = 35.2%) regions recorded the highest increases, with most states showing significant growth in deaths. We also observed an increase in mortality associated with the use of Psychoactive substances (PAS) in both sexes (male: average annual percentage changes (AAPCs) = 3.6%; female: AAPC = 4.6%), individuals aged 20 to 39 (AAPC = 2.0%), and those aged 60 and above (AAPC = 1.8%). Interrupted time-series analyses confirmed a marked and statistically significant increase in mortality post-March 2020.InterpretationThe findings suggest a collateral epidemic of substance-related deaths fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic's disruptions to harm reduction services, treatment access, and socio-economic stability. These results underscore the urgent need to enhance healthcare systems, reinforce harm reduction services, and develop intersectoral policies targeting social inequalities to mitigate future crises.FundingThis research is part of the PEGA@ACAO study and was funded by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP, grant #2024/15320-5 and #2025/04763-6); the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq, grant #405741/2024-3); and the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES, finance code #001).
Autores principais:	Andrade, Lucas Almeida
Outros Autores:	Gurgel, Maria Amélia dos Santos Lemos; Paz, Wandklebson Silva da; Monteiro, Glauber Rocha; Araújo, Karina Conceição Gomes de; Santos, Allan Dantas dos; Souza, Carlos Dornels Freire de; Sousa, Álvaro Francisco Lopes de; Cepas, Lariane Angel; Fernandes, Ana Paula Morais; Tavares, Débora dos Santos; Moura, Tatiana Rodrigues de; Bezerra-Santos, Márcio
Assunto:	Alcohol Alcohol-related mortality Brazil COVID-19 pandemic Drug-related mortality Illicit drugs Psychoactive substances Substance use disorders Internal Medicine Health Policy Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Ano:	2026
País:	Portugal
Tipo de documento:	artigo
Tipo de acesso:	acesso aberto
Instituição associada:	Universidade Nova de Lisboa
Idioma:	inglês
Origem:	Repositório Institucional da UNL