Abstract

SILVA, Marcelo Gurgel Carlos da. Potential years of lost life from avoidable causes by gender - Fortaleza (Brazil), 1996-1998. Epidemiol. Serv. Saúde [online]. 2003, vol.12, n.2, pp.99-110. ISSN 1679-4974.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5123/S1679-49742003000200005.

The objective of the present study was to determine and analyze mortality from avoidable causes in the city of Fortaleza, Ceara State, Brazil for the period 1996-98, identifying its impact upon active life, measured in potential years of lost life (PYLL). A descriptive study was performed using the mortality database of Ceara’s State Health Department obtained from processed death certificates issued for the residents of Fortaleza in the period 1996-98, and ready-to-send to the Ministry of Health for inclusion in the Mortality Information System (SIM) in CD-rom format. Death certificates were selected by the underlying cause of death, separated by cause according to sex and age, and finally classified according to criteria of avoidability as proposed by Taucher. Undefined causes of death were distributed among the diverse groups of avoidable deaths, proportionately to sex and age participation. Populational projection was estimated using the geometric method, determining the number of inhabitants of Fortaleza for July 1^st, 1997, based on the demographic census of 1991 and the population count of 1996. The Romeder and McWhinnie technique was used to analyze the impact of the groups of avoidable mortality on PYLL. The main results indicated an upper limit of life expectancy at 65 years, and 236,660.5 PYLL for men and 113,956 PYLL for women, with avoidable causes contributing to 58% and 41%, respectively. Violent causes of death (Group F) contributed substantially to these figures

Keywords : avoidable mortality; potential life lost; potential years of lost life.

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