The Brazilian vaccine divide: How some municipalities were left behind in the Covid-19 vaccine coverage.

This study aims to assess the progress of geographic, socioeconomic, and demographic disparities in Covid-19 vaccination coverage in Brazil over the first two years of the vaccination campaign. Data from the National Immunization Program Information System were used to estimate covid-19 vaccine coverage. Brazilian municipalities were divided into two groups based on their vaccine coverage for the booster dose. The first group comprised 20% of municipalities with the lowest coverage, while the second group (80% of municipalities) had higher coverage. The analysis was conducted separately for four age groups: 5-11, 12-17, 18-59, and 60+. Explanatory variables included socioeconomic and health services indicators. Crude and adjusted logistic regression models were used to estimate the probability of a municipality being among those with the worst vaccination coverage according to the categories of exploratory variables. Between January/2021 and December/2022, Brazil administered 448.2 million doses of the covid-19 vaccine. The booster vaccination coverage varied from 24.8% among adolescents to 79.7% among the elderly. The difference between the group with the highest and lowest coverage increased during the national vaccination campaign. Municipalities with lower education levels, higher proportion of Black population, higher Gini index, and worse health service indicators had a greater likelihood of having lower vaccination coverage. High and increasing levels of inequality in Covid-19 vaccination were observed in Brazil across all age groups during the vaccination campaign in 2021-2022.

Trends in occurrences of accidents by venomous animals in brazil: analysis of notifications from 2007 to 2021 / Tendências na ocorrência de acidentes por animais peçonhentos no brasil: análise das notificações de 2007 a 2021 / Tendencias en las ocurrencias de accidentes por animales venenosos en Brasil: análisis de las notificaciones de 2007 a 2021

Os acidentes por animais peçonhentos sãoum problema de saúde pública que apresenta elevado número de casos anuais no Brasil. Objetivo:descrever e analisar as ocorrências de acidentes por animais peçonhentos no Brasil e suas tendências entre 2007 e 2021.Metodologia:oestudo utilizou dados doSistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação edo Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade.A população do estudo foi analisada segundo sexo, faixa etária e região de residência. A análise de tendência da série histórica foi realizada por regressão linear generalizada usando a estimação de Prais-Winsten.Resultados:as taxas de ocorrência padronizadas dobraram no período estudado (53,8/100.000 hab. em 2007 para 111,2/100.000 hab. em 2021). A região Nordeste apresentou a maior taxa de ocorrência padronizada (105,5/100.000 hab.). As regiões Nordeste, Sudeste e Centro-Oeste apresentaram maior taxa bruta de acidentes por escorpiões (75,8, 48,7 e 32,8 acidentes/100.000 hab., respectivamente), enquanto a região Norte por serpentes (54,2 acidentes/100.000 hab.) e a Região Sul por aranhas (60,3 acidentes/100.000 hab.). A taxa de mortalidade observada no período de 2007 a 2020 foi de 1,3 óbitos/1 milhão de hab. Entre as mortes registradas, 39,6% foram por picada de cobra.Conclusões:as tendências no Brasil foram ascendentes para ambos os sexos e para todas as faixas etárias. Apenas as regiões Norte e Sul apresentaram algumas categorias com tendências estacionárias. A análise dos dados epidemiológicos possibilita a identificação de populações-alvo e a elaboração de políticas públicas a fim de prevenir novos acidentes, bem como aprimorar o atendimento às pessoas acometidas por meio do planejamento da distribuição de soros antiofídicos (AU).

Accidents by venomous animals is a public health problem that presents a high number of annual cases in Brazil.Objective:to describe and analyze the occurrences of accidents by venomous animalsin Brazil and their trends between 2007 and 2021.Methodology:the study used Notifiable Diseases Information Systemand Mortality Information Systemdata. The study population wasanalyzed according to sex, age group, and region of residence. Trend analysis of the historical series was performed by generalized linear regression using Prais-Winsten estimation.Results:the standardized occurrence rates doubled during the studied period (53.8/100,000 inhab. in 2007 to 111.2/100,000 inhab. in 2021). The Northeast region had the highest standardized occurrence rate (105.5/100,000 inhab.). The Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest regions had a higher crude rate of accidents caused by scorpions (75.8, 48.7 and 32.8 accidents/100,000 inhab., respectively), while the North region by snakes (54.2 accidents/100,000 inhab.), and the South region by spiders (60.3 accidents/100,000 inhab.). Death rate observed in the period from 2007 to 2020 was 1.3deaths/1 million inhab. Among the deaths registered, 39.6% were from snakebite.Conclusions:trends in Brazil were ascendant for both sexes and for all age groups. Only the North and South regions showed some categories with stationary trends. The analysis of epidemiological data makes it possible the identification of target populations and elaborations of public policies in order to prevent new accidents, as well as the improvement of care for affected people by planning the distribution of antivenom serums (AU).

Los accidentes por animales venenosos son un problema de salud pública que presenta un elevado número de casos anuales en Brasil. Objetivo: describir y analizar lasocurrencias de accidentes por animales venenosos en Brasil y sus tendencias entre 2007 y 2021.Metodología: el estudio utilizó datos del sistema de información de enfermedades de declaración obligatoria(SINAN, según su sigla en portugués)ydelsistema de información de mortalidad. La población delestudio se analizó según sexo, grupo de edad y región de residencia. El análisis de tendencia de la serie histórica se realizó mediante regresión lineal generalizada utilizando la estimación de Prais-Winsten.Resultados: las tasas de ocurrencia estandarizadas se duplicaron durante el período estudiado (de 53,8/100000 hab. en 2007 a 111,2/100000 hab. en 2021). La región Nordeste presentó la mayor tasa de ocurrencia estandarizada (105,5/100000 hab.). Las regiones Nordeste, Sudeste y Medio Oeste presentaron la mayor tasa bruta de accidentes por alacranes (75,8, 48,7 y 32,8 accidentes/100000 hab., respectivamente), mientras que la región Norte por serpientes (54,2 accidentes/100000 hab.), y la Región Sur por arañas (60,3 accidentes/100000 hab.). La tasa de mortalidad observada en el período de 2007 a 2020 fue de 1,3 muertes/1 millón de hab. Entre las muertes registradas, el 39,6% fueron por mordedura de serpiente.Conclusiones: las tendencias en Brasil fueron ascendentes para ambos sexos y para todos los grupos de edad. Solo las regiones Norte y Sur presentaron algunas categorías con tendencias estacionarias. El análisis de datos epidemiológicos posibilita la identificación de poblaciones objetivo y la elaboración de políticas públicas para la prevención de nuevos accidentes, así como la mejora de la atención a las personas afectadas mediante la planificación de la distribución de sueros antiofídicos (AU).

Uncovering inequities in Covid-19 vaccine coverage for adults and elderly in Brazil: A multilevel study of 2021-2022 data.

Vaccination is crucial for reducing severe COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. However, vaccine access disparities within countries, particularly in low- and middle-income nations, may leave disadvantaged regions and populations behind. This study aimed to investigate potential inequalities in vaccine coverage among Brazilian aged 18 years and older based on demographic, geographic, and socioeconomic characteristics at the municipal level. A total of 389 million vaccination records from the National Immunization Program Information System were analyzed to calculate vaccine coverage rates for the first, second, and booster doses among adults (18-59 years) and elderly (60 + years) vaccinated between January 2021 and December 2022. We analyzed the data by gender and used a three-level (municipalities, states, regions) multilevel regression analysis to assess the association between vaccine coverage and municipal characteristics. Vaccination coverage was higher among the elderly than among adults, particularly for the second and booster doses. Adult women showed higher coverage rates than men (ranging from 118 % to 25 % higher along the analyzed period). Significant inequalities were observed when analyzing the evolution of vaccination coverage by sociodemographic characteristics of municipalities. In the early stages of the vaccination campaign, municipalities with higher per capita Gross Domestic Product (pGDP), educational level, and fewer Black residents reached higher population coverages earlier. In December 2022, adult and elderly booster vaccine coverage was 43 % and 19 %, respectively, higher in municipalities in the highest quintile of educational level. Higher vaccine uptake was also observed in municipalities with fewer Black residents and higher pGDP. Municipalities accounted for most of the variance in vaccine coverage (59.7 %-90.4 % depending on the dose and age group). This study emphasizes the inadequate booster coverage and the presence of socioeconomic and demographic disparities in COVID-19 vaccination rates. These issues must be addressed through equitable interventions to avoid potential disparities in morbidity and mortality.

Genomic Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Healthcare Workers: A Critical Sentinel Group for Monitoring the SARS-CoV-2 Variant Shift.

SARS-CoV-2 genome surveillance is important for monitoring risk groups and health workers as well as data on new cases and mortality rate due to COVID-19. We characterized the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 variants from May 2021 to April 2022 in the state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil, and evaluated the similarity between variants present in the population and healthcare workers (HCW). A total of 5291 sequenced genomes demonstrated the circulation of 55 strains and four variants of concern (Alpha, Delta, Gamma and Omicron-sublineages BA.1 and BA.2). The number of cases was relatively low in May 2021, but the number of deaths was higher with the Gamma variant. There was a significant increase in both numbers between December 2021 and February 2022, peaking in mid-January 2022, when the Omicron variant dominated. After May 2021, two distinct variant groups (Delta and Omicron) were observed, equally distributed among the five Santa Catarina mesoregions. Moreover, from November 2021 to February 2022, similar variant profiles between HCW and the general population were observed, and a quicker shift from Delta to Omicron in HCW than in the general population. This demonstrates the importance of HCW as a sentinel group for monitoring disease trends in the general population.

Socioeconomic inequality in hospital case fatality rate and care among children and adolescents hospitalized for COVID-19 in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association of hospital case fatality rate and care received by children and adolescents hospitalized for COVID-19 with the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita of Brazilian municipalities and regions of residence. METHODS: Data were collected from the Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance Information System and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. The dichotomous outcomes analyzed were hospital case fatality rate of COVID-19, biological samples collected for COVID-19 diagnosis, X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, use of ventilatory support, and intensive care unit hospitalization. The covariates were municipal GDP per capita and the Brazilian region of residence. Poisson regression was used for the outcomes recorded in 2020 and 2021 in Brazil, covering the two COVID-19 waves in the country, adjusted for age and gender. RESULTS: The hospital case fatality rate was 7.6%. In municipalities with lower GDP per capita deciles, the case fatality rate was almost four times higher among children and twice as high in adolescents compared to cities with higher deciles. Additionally, residents of municipalities with lower GDP per capita had fewer biological samples collected for diagnosis, X-ray examinations, and CT scans. We found regional disparities associated with case fatality rate, with worse indicators in the North and Northeast regions. The findings remained consistent over the two COVID-19 waves. CONCLUSION: Municipalities with lower GDP per capita, as well as the North and Northeast regions, had worse indicators of hospital case fatality rate and care.

Vacinação contra poliomielite no Brasil de 2011 a 2021: sucessos, reveses e desafios futuros / Vaccination against poliomyelitis in Brazil from 2011 to 2021: successes, setbacks, and challenges ahead

Resumo A queda de coberturas vacinais (CV) na infância, entre elas a da poliomielite, vem se tornando uma preocupação sanitária. O objetivo foi analisar a tendência temporal das coberturas das três doses da vacina contra a poliomielite nos primeiros 12 meses de vida entre 2011 e 2021, com destaque na pandemia de COVID-19, além de mapear as CV no Brasil. Foi realizado um estudo ecológico com técnicas de série temporal interrompida (STI) e análise espacial, a partir dos dados do Sistema de Informação do Programa Nacional de Imunização. A tendência da CV foi ajustada pelo estimador de variância de Newey-West, segundo as unidades federadas e o Índice de Privação Brasileiro. A distribuição da CV foi estimada por modelos bayesianos e os aglomerados espaciais pelos índices de Moran global e local, identificando áreas de menor cobertura nas Regiões de Saúde. Observa-se perda da CV ao longo do período em todas as regiões do país, sendo maiores no Norte e no Nordeste e se acentuando durante a pandemia. As maiores quedas foram identificadas em estados e regiões de saúde com maior vulnerabilidade social. A queda na CV mostra que o risco de reintrodução do vírus selvagem é iminente e os desafios precisam ser enfrentados com o fortalecimento do Sistema Único de Saúde.

Abstract The drop in childhood vaccination coverage (VC), including poliomyelitis, has become a health concern. The objective was to analyze the temporal trend of coverage of the three doses of the polio vaccine in the first 12 months of life between 2011 and 2021, in addition to mapping vaccination coverage in Brazil, including the COVID-19 pandemic period. An ecological study was carried out using interrupted time series (STI) techniques and spatial analysis, with data from the National Immunization Program Information System. The VC trend was adjusted by the Newey-West variance estimator according to the federated units and the Brazilian Deprivation Index. The VC distribution was estimated by Bayesian models and the spatial clusters by the global and local Moran index, identifying areas of lower coverage in the health regions. There was a reduction in the VC over the period in all regions, being more pronounced in the North and Northeast regions and during the Covid-19 pandemic. The biggest drops were identified in states and health regions with greater social vulnerability after 2019. The drop in VC shows that the risk of reintroduction of the wild virus is imminent and the challenges need to be faced with the strengthening of the Brazilian Health System (SUS).

Óbitos por condições de saúde posteriores à COVID-19 no Brasil / Deaths from post-COVID conditions in Brazil

Resumo O objetivo deste artigo é avaliar a magnitude e o perfil dos óbitos por condições posteriores à COVID-19 no Brasil. Estudo descritivo com base nos dados preliminares de registro de óbitos do Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade ocorridos em 2021. Foram considerados os registros com código CID B94.8 como causa básica e com código U09 em alguma linha da parte I ou II da declaração de óbito. Foi avaliada a distribuição dos óbitos por região geográfica, semestre de ocorrência, sexo, faixa etária, raça/cor, escolaridade e local de ocorrência. Foram registrados 2.948 óbitos por condições posteriores à COVID-19, variando de 0,5 óbito por 1.000 registros na região Nordeste a 3,6/1.000 na região Centro-Oeste. Mais da metade ocorreu entre o sexo masculino (58,0%), aqueles com 60 anos ou mais de idade (66,9%) e de cor da pele branca (51,8%). Os óbitos por condições posteriores à COVID-19 apresentaram características sociodemográficas distintas entre as regiões.

Abstract This paper aims to assess the magnitude and profile of deaths from post-COVID conditions in Brazil. Descriptive study based on preliminary data from the 2021 Mortality Information System. Records with ICD code B94.8 as the Basic Cause and with code U09 in some lines of part I or II of the declaration were considered for analysis. The distribution of deaths by geographic region, semester of occurrence, sex, age group, ethnicity/skin color, schooling, and place of occurrence was evaluated. We identified 2,948 deaths from conditions subsequent to COVID-19 were recorded, ranging from 0.5 deaths per 1,000 records in the Northeast Region to 3.6/1,000 in the Midwest Region. More than half occurred among males (58.0%), those aged 60 years or older (66.9%), and whites (51.8%). Conclusion: Deaths from post-COVID conditions had distinct sociodemographic characteristics between regions.

Vacinação do sarampo no Brasil: onde estivemos e para onde vamos? / Measles vaccination in Brazil: where have we been and where are we headed?

Resumo A reemergência de doenças imunopreveníveis devido à queda das coberturas vacinais (CV) tem sido documentada em vários países. O objetivo foi analisar a CV, a homogeneidade das CV e os casos de sarampo no Brasil de 2011 a 2021, com enfoque no período da pandemia de COVID-19, sua tendência temporal, distribuição espaço-temporal e fatores associados aos aglomerados de menor CV. Trata-se de um estudo ecológico sobre a CV de sarampo (dose 1), com métodos de série temporal interrompida e de avaliação da disposição espaço-temporal, por meio do teste de varredura na identificação de aglomerados de CV. A partir de 2015, observa-se queda progressiva das CV e da homogeneidade, acentuando-se após 2020 em todas as regiões, particularmente Norte e Nordeste. Aglomerados de baixa CV foram associados a piores indicadores de desenvolvimento humano, desigualdade social e menor acesso à Estratégia de Saúde da Família. No Brasil, a pandemia intensificou as iniquidades em saúde, com baixas CV de sarampo em municípios socialmente mais vulneráveis e desiguais. Há risco de circulação do vírus, reafirmando o desafio de fortalecer a atenção básica, aprimorar a comunicação em saúde e garantir acesso à vacina, diminuindo oportunidades perdidas de vacinação e a hesitação vacinal.

Abstract The re-emergence of vaccine-preventable diseases due to the decline in vaccine coverage (VC) has been documented in several countries. The objective was to analyze the VC, the homogeneity of VC, and measles cases in Brazil from 2011 to 2021, focusing on the period of the COVID-19 pandemic, its temporal trend, space-time distribution, and factors associated with clusters of lower VC. This is an ecological study on measles VC (dose 1), with methods of interrupted time series and evaluation of spatio-temporal disposition, through the sweep test to identify clusters of VC. Starting in 2015, we observe a progressive decline in VC and homogeneity, with an accentuation after 2020, in all regions, particularly in the North and Northeast. Low VC clusters were associated with worse human development indicators, social inequality, and less access to the Family Health Strategy. In Brazil, the pandemic intensified health inequalities with low VC of measles in socially more vulnerable and unequal municipalities. There is a risk of virus circulation, however, the challenge of strengthening primary care, improving health communication and guaranteeing access to the vaccine, reducing missed opportunities for vaccination and vaccine hesitancy, is highlighted.

Deaths from post-COVID conditions in Brazil. / Óbitos por condições de saúde posteriores à COVID-19 no Brasil.

This paper aims to assess the magnitude and profile of deaths from post-COVID conditions in Brazil. Descriptive study based on preliminary data from the 2021 Mortality Information System. Records with ICD code B94.8 as the Basic Cause and with code U09 in some lines of part I or II of the declaration were considered for analysis. The distribution of deaths by geographic region, semester of occurrence, sex, age group, ethnicity/skin color, schooling, and place of occurrence was evaluated. We identified 2,948 deaths from conditions subsequent to COVID-19 were recorded, ranging from 0.5 deaths per 1,000 records in the Northeast Region to 3.6/1,000 in the Midwest Region. More than half occurred among males (58.0%), those aged 60 years or older (66.9%), and whites (51.8%). Conclusion: Deaths from post-COVID conditions had distinct sociodemographic characteristics between regions.

O objetivo deste artigo é avaliar a magnitude e o perfil dos óbitos por condições posteriores à COVID-19 no Brasil. Estudo descritivo com base nos dados preliminares de registro de óbitos do Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade ocorridos em 2021. Foram considerados os registros com código CID B94.8 como causa básica e com código U09 em alguma linha da parte I ou II da declaração de óbito. Foi avaliada a distribuição dos óbitos por região geográfica, semestre de ocorrência, sexo, faixa etária, raça/cor, escolaridade e local de ocorrência. Foram registrados 2.948 óbitos por condições posteriores à COVID-19, variando de 0,5 óbito por 1.000 registros na região Nordeste a 3,6/1.000 na região Centro-Oeste. Mais da metade ocorreu entre o sexo masculino (58,0%), aqueles com 60 anos ou mais de idade (66,9%) e de cor da pele branca (51,8%). Os óbitos por condições posteriores à COVID-19 apresentaram características sociodemográficas distintas entre as regiões.

Vaccination against poliomyelitis in Brazil from 2011 to 2021: successes, setbacks, and challenges ahead. / Vacinação contra poliomielite no Brasil de 2011 a 2021: sucessos, reveses e desafios futuros.

The drop in childhood vaccination coverage (VC), including poliomyelitis, has become a health concern. The objective was to analyze the temporal trend of coverage of the three doses of the polio vaccine in the first 12 months of life between 2011 and 2021, in addition to mapping vaccination coverage in Brazil, including the COVID-19 pandemic period. An ecological study was carried out using interrupted time series (STI) techniques and spatial analysis, with data from the National Immunization Program Information System. The VC trend was adjusted by the Newey-West variance estimator according to the federated units and the Brazilian Deprivation Index. The VC distribution was estimated by Bayesian models and the spatial clusters by the global and local Moran index, identifying areas of lower coverage in the health regions. There was a reduction in the VC over the period in all regions, being more pronounced in the North and Northeast regions and during the Covid-19 pandemic. The biggest drops were identified in states and health regions with greater social vulnerability after 2019. The drop in VC shows that the risk of reintroduction of the wild virus is imminent and the challenges need to be faced with the strengthening of the Brazilian Health System (SUS).

A queda de coberturas vacinais (CV) na infância, entre elas a da poliomielite, vem se tornando uma preocupação sanitária. O objetivo foi analisar a tendência temporal das coberturas das três doses da vacina contra a poliomielite nos primeiros 12 meses de vida entre 2011 e 2021, com destaque na pandemia de COVID-19, além de mapear as CV no Brasil. Foi realizado um estudo ecológico com técnicas de série temporal interrompida (STI) e análise espacial, a partir dos dados do Sistema de Informação do Programa Nacional de Imunização. A tendência da CV foi ajustada pelo estimador de variância de Newey-West, segundo as unidades federadas e o Índice de Privação Brasileiro. A distribuição da CV foi estimada por modelos bayesianos e os aglomerados espaciais pelos índices de Moran global e local, identificando áreas de menor cobertura nas Regiões de Saúde. Observa-se perda da CV ao longo do período em todas as regiões do país, sendo maiores no Norte e no Nordeste e se acentuando durante a pandemia. As maiores quedas foram identificadas em estados e regiões de saúde com maior vulnerabilidade social. A queda na CV mostra que o risco de reintrodução do vírus selvagem é iminente e os desafios precisam ser enfrentados com o fortalecimento do Sistema Único de Saúde.

Measles vaccination in Brazil: where have we been and where are we headed? / Vacinação do sarampo no Brasil: onde estivemos e para onde vamos?

The re-emergence of vaccine-preventable diseases due to the decline in vaccine coverage (VC) has been documented in several countries. The objective was to analyze the VC, the homogeneity of VC, and measles cases in Brazil from 2011 to 2021, focusing on the period of the COVID-19 pandemic, its temporal trend, space-time distribution, and factors associated with clusters of lower VC. This is an ecological study on measles VC (dose 1), with methods of interrupted time series and evaluation of spatio-temporal disposition, through the sweep test to identify clusters of VC. Starting in 2015, we observe a progressive decline in VC and homogeneity, with an accentuation after 2020, in all regions, particularly in the North and Northeast. Low VC clusters were associated with worse human development indicators, social inequality, and less access to the Family Health Strategy. In Brazil, the pandemic intensified health inequalities with low VC of measles in socially more vulnerable and unequal municipalities. There is a risk of virus circulation, however, the challenge of strengthening primary care, improving health communication and guaranteeing access to the vaccine, reducing missed opportunities for vaccination and vaccine hesitancy, is highlighted.

A reemergência de doenças imunopreveníveis devido à queda das coberturas vacinais (CV) tem sido documentada em vários países. O objetivo foi analisar a CV, a homogeneidade das CV e os casos de sarampo no Brasil de 2011 a 2021, com enfoque no período da pandemia de COVID-19, sua tendência temporal, distribuição espaço-temporal e fatores associados aos aglomerados de menor CV. Trata-se de um estudo ecológico sobre a CV de sarampo (dose 1), com métodos de série temporal interrompida e de avaliação da disposição espaço-temporal, por meio do teste de varredura na identificação de aglomerados de CV. A partir de 2015, observa-se queda progressiva das CV e da homogeneidade, acentuando-se após 2020 em todas as regiões, particularmente Norte e Nordeste. Aglomerados de baixa CV foram associados a piores indicadores de desenvolvimento humano, desigualdade social e menor acesso à Estratégia de Saúde da Família. No Brasil, a pandemia intensificou as iniquidades em saúde, com baixas CV de sarampo em municípios socialmente mais vulneráveis e desiguais. Há risco de circulação do vírus, reafirmando o desafio de fortalecer a atenção básica, aprimorar a comunicação em saúde e garantir acesso à vacina, diminuindo oportunidades perdidas de vacinação e a hesitação vacinal.

Socioeconomic inequality in hospital case fatality rate and care among children and adolescents hospitalized for COVID-19 in Brazil / Desigualdade socioeconômica na letalidade e no cuidado hospitalar de crianças e adolescentes internados por COVID-19 no Brasil

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the association of hospital case fatality rate and care received by children and adolescents hospitalized for COVID-19 with the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita of Brazilian municipalities and regions of residence. Methods: Data were collected from the Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance Information System and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. The dichotomous outcomes analyzed were hospital case fatality rate of COVID-19, biological samples collected for COVID-19 diagnosis, X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, use of ventilatory support, and intensive care unit hospitalization. The covariates were municipal GDP per capita and the Brazilian region of residence. Poisson regression was used for the outcomes recorded in 2020 and 2021 in Brazil, covering the two COVID-19 waves in the country, adjusted for age and gender. Results: The hospital case fatality rate was 7.6%. In municipalities with lower GDP per capita deciles, the case fatality rate was almost four times higher among children and twice as high in adolescents compared to cities with higher deciles. Additionally, residents of municipalities with lower GDP per capita had fewer biological samples collected for diagnosis, X-ray examinations, and CT scans. We found regional disparities associated with case fatality rate, with worse indicators in the North and Northeast regions. The findings remained consistent over the two COVID-19 waves. Conclusion: Municipalities with lower GDP per capita, as well as the North and Northeast regions, had worse indicators of hospital case fatality rate and care.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar a associação entre a letalidade e o cuidado hospitalar recebido por crianças e adolescentes internados por COVID-19 e o produto interno bruto (PIB) per capita dos municípios brasileiros e a região de residência. Métodos: Os dados foram extraídos do Sistema de Informação de Vigilância Epidemiológica da Gripe e do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Analisaram-se como desfechos dicotômicos a letalidade hospitalar por COVID-19, a coleta de amostra biológica para diagnóstico de COVID-19, a realização de exames raio X e tomografia, o uso de suporte ventilatório e a internação em unidade de terapia intensiva. As covariáveis foram o PIB municipal per capita e a região brasileira de residência. Foi realizada regressão de Poisson para os desfechos registrados em 2020 e 2021 no Brasil e segundo o período compreendido em duas ondas de COVID-19 no país, ajustando-a por idade e sexo. Resultados: A letalidade hospitalar foi de 7,6%. Nos municípios dos menores decis de PIB per capita a letalidade foi quase quatro vezes maior entre crianças e duas vezes mais elevada entre adolescentes quando comparada àquela dos maiores decis. Adicionalmente, os residentes de municípios com menor PIB per capita realizaram menos coleta de amostra biológica para diagnóstico, exames de raio X e tomografias. Foram encontradas disparidades regionais associadas à letalidade, com piores indicadores nas regiões Norte e Nordeste. Os achados mantiveram-se consistentes durante as duas ondas de COVID-19. Conclusão: Em municípios com menor PIB per capita e das regiões Norte e Nordeste houve piores indicadores de letalidade e cuidado hospitalar.

Travel as a barrier to abortion provided by law access. Brazil, 2010-2019 / Deslocamento intermunicipal como barreira de acesso ao aborto previsto em lei. Brasil, 2010-2019

Abstract Objectives: to analyze abortions provided by law (APL) carried out in Brazil between 2010 and 2019 regarding the need for travel of users, as well as the expenditure of time and money on these trips. Methods: descriptive study of records of outpatient care and hospitalizations for APL between 2010 and 2019. The municipal provision and the inter-municipal flows for the realization of the APL, the availability of public transportation for this travel, as well as its cost and time, were identified. Results: 2.6% of Brazilian municipalities had a sustained provision of APL between 2010 and 2019. Of the 15,889 APL performed, 14.8% occurred in municipalities other than those where the user lived. The smaller the population size of the municipality of residence, the higher the percentage of the need for travel. Of these inter-municipal trips, 16.0% had regular round-trip links by public transport. The total travel time ranged from 26 minutes to 4 and a half days, and the cost from R$2.70 to R$1,218.06; the highest medians were among residents of the Midwest region. Conclusions: the concentration of services, the deficiency of inter-municipal public transport, and the expenditure on travel to access the APL are barriers to users that need the health service, demanding public policies to overcome them.

Resumo Objetivos: analisar as restrições aos abortos previstos em lei (APL) realizados no Brasil entre 2010 e 2019 quanto à necessidade de deslocamento das usuárias, bem como quanto ao dispêndio de tempo e dinheiro nessas viagens. Métodos: estudo descritivo dos registros de atendimentos ambulatoriais e internações para APL entre 2010 e 2019. Foram identificados a oferta municipal e os fluxos intermunicipais para realização dos APL, a disponibilidade de transporte coletivo para esse deslocamento, bem como seu custo e tempo. Resultados: 2,6% dos municípios brasileiros tiveram oferta sustentada de APL entre 2010 e 2019. Dos 15.889 APL realizados, 14,8% se deram em municípios diferentes daqueles de residência da usuária. Quanto menor o porte populacional do município de residência, maior o percentual com necessidade de viajar. Desses deslocamentos intermunicipais, 16,0% tinham ligações regulares de ida e retorno em transporte público. O tempo de viagem total variou de 26 minutos a quatro dias e meio, e o custo de R$ 2,70 a R$ 1.218,06; as maiores medianas estiveram entre as residentes da região Centro-Oeste. Conclusões: a concentração de serviços, a deficiência de transporte público intermunicipal, bem como o dispêndio com a viagem para acesso ao APL são barreiras às usuárias que precisam do serviço de saúde, demandando políticas públicas para sua superação.

Area-level inequalities in Covid-19 outcomes in Brazil in 2020 and 2021: An analysis of 1,894,165 severe Covid-19 cases.

The study aims to analyze inequalities in Covid-19 outcomes in Brazil in 2020/2021 according to the per capita Gross Domestic Product (pcGDP) of municipalities. All cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) who were hospitalized or died, regardless of hospitalization, registered in Brazil in 2020 and 2021 were analyzed (n = 2,902,742), including those with a confirmed diagnosis of Covid-19 (n = 1,894,165). We calculated lethality due to Covid-19, the performance of diagnostic tests among patients with SARS, and the hospital care received by those with Covid-19 according to the pcGDP of the patients' municipalities of residence. Data were analyzed for each epidemiological week and the risk of each outcome was estimated using Poisson regression. Municipalities in the lowest pcGDP decile had (i) 30% (95%CI 28%-32%) higher lethality from Covid-19, (ii) three times higher proportion of patients with SARS without the collection of biological material for the diagnosis of Covid-19, (iii) 16% (95%CI 15%-16%) higher proportion of SARS patients testing in a period longer than two days from the onset of symptoms, (iv) 140% (95%CI 134%-145%) higher absence of CT scan use. There is deep socioeconomic inequality among Brazilian municipalities regarding the occurrence of Covid-19 negative outcomes.

Como a normatização sobre o serviço de aborto em gravidez decorrente de estupro afeta sua oferta nos municípios? / How does the regulation of abortion provision for pregnancies resulting from rape affect its supply in the municipalities?

Resumo A oferta do aborto em gestações decorrentes de estupro é limitada no Brasil, restrita a poucos estabelecimentos e concentrada em grandes centros urbanos. Objetivou-se estimar o potencial de expansão da oferta do serviço considerando a capacidade instalada nos municípios país. A partir dos dados de junho de 2021 no Cadastro Nacional de Estabelecimentos de Saúde foram elaborados três diferentes cenários de oferta de aborto previsto em lei em gestações decorrentes de estupro, e calculado o percentual da população do sexo feminino em idade fértil residente nos municípios de cada cenário por região. No primeiro cenário foram incluídos os municípios com oferta instalada, no segundo aqueles com potencial de oferta considerando as normativas vigentes, e no terceiro aqueles com potencial de oferta considerando apenas as recomendações da Organização Mundial de Saúde e o Código Penal brasileiro. Os cenários foram compostos, respectivamente, por 55, 662 e 3.741 municípios, sendo residência de 26,7%, 62,1% e 94,3% das pessoas do sexo feminino entre 10 e 49 anos do país. Em todas as regiões havia capacidade instalada para ampliação da oferta tanto à luz das normativas vigentes quanto das recomendações internacionais.

Abstract The provision of abortion in pregnancies resulting from rape in Brazil is limited, restricted to a few facilities and concentrated in large urban centers. We aimed to estimate the potential for expansion of this service considering the installed capacity in the country's municipalities. From the data of June 2021 in the Cadastro Nacional de Estabelecimentos de Saúde (Brazilian National Registry of Health Facilities, CNES), three different scenarios of abortion provision provided by law in pregnancies resulting from rape were elaborated, and the percentage of female population of childbearing age living in the municipalities of each scenario was calculated by region. The first scenario included the municipalities with installed provision; the second, those with potential for provision considering the current regulations; and the third, those with potential for provision considering only the recommendations of the World Health Organization and the Penal Code of Brazil. The scenarios were composed of 55, 662 and 3,741 municipalities, respectively, and were home to 26.7%, 62.1%, and 94.3% of the country's females between the ages of 10 and 49. In all regions, there was installed capacity to expand provision, both in light of current regulations and international recommendations.

How does the regulation of abortion provision for pregnancies resulting from rape affect its supply in the municipalities? / Como a normatização sobre o serviço de aborto em gravidez decorrente de estupro afeta sua oferta nos municípios?

The provision of abortion in pregnancies resulting from rape in Brazil is limited, restricted to a few facilities and concentrated in large urban centers. We aimed to estimate the potential for expansion of this service considering the installed capacity in the country's municipalities. From the data of June 2021 in the Cadastro Nacional de Estabelecimentos de Saúde (Brazilian National Registry of Health Facilities, CNES), three different scenarios of abortion provision provided by law in pregnancies resulting from rape were elaborated, and the percentage of female population of childbearing age living in the municipalities of each scenario was calculated by region. The first scenario included the municipalities with installed provision; the second, those with potential for provision considering the current regulations; and the third, those with potential for provision considering only the recommendations of the World Health Organization and the Penal Code of Brazil. The scenarios were composed of 55, 662 and 3,741 municipalities, respectively, and were home to 26.7%, 62.1%, and 94.3% of the country's females between the ages of 10 and 49. In all regions, there was installed capacity to expand provision, both in light of current regulations and international recommendations.

A oferta do aborto em gestações decorrentes de estupro é limitada no Brasil, restrita a poucos estabelecimentos e concentrada em grandes centros urbanos. Objetivou-se estimar o potencial de expansão da oferta do serviço considerando a capacidade instalada nos municípios país. A partir dos dados de junho de 2021 no Cadastro Nacional de Estabelecimentos de Saúde foram elaborados três diferentes cenários de oferta de aborto previsto em lei em gestações decorrentes de estupro, e calculado o percentual da população do sexo feminino em idade fértil residente nos municípios de cada cenário por região. No primeiro cenário foram incluídos os municípios com oferta instalada, no segundo aqueles com potencial de oferta considerando as normativas vigentes, e no terceiro aqueles com potencial de oferta considerando apenas as recomendações da Organização Mundial de Saúde e o Código Penal brasileiro. Os cenários foram compostos, respectivamente, por 55, 662 e 3.741 municípios, sendo residência de 26,7%, 62,1% e 94,3% das pessoas do sexo feminino entre 10 e 49 anos do país. Em todas as regiões havia capacidade instalada para ampliação da oferta tanto à luz das normativas vigentes quanto das recomendações internacionais.

[Prevalence rates and inequalities in access to medicines by users of the Brazilian Unified National Health System in 2013 and 2019]. / Prevalências e desigualdades no acesso aos medicamentos por usuários do Sistema Único de Saúde no Brasil em 2013 e 2019.

The study aimed to analyze and compare the prevalence of access to medicines and associated factors among users of the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS). The authors analyzed data from the 2013 and 2019 editions of the Brazilian National Health Survey, a nationwide health study, representative of the Brazilian population. The outcomes were: (1) obtaining from the SUS all the medicines prescribed during care received in the SUS itself in the two weeks prior to the interview (2) and obtaining all the medicines, regardless of the source. Demographic and socioeconomic characteristics were included as independent variables. In 2019, 29.7% of the interviewees obtained all the prescribed medicines from the SUS, 81.8% obtained all the medicines in general (considering all sources), and 56.4% paid some amount for the medicines. The proportion who did obtain any medicine from the SUS and that made some out-of-pocket payment increased from 2013 to 2019. The likelihood of obtaining all the medicines in the SUS was higher among the poorest, and that of obtaining the medicines regardless of source was higher among the wealthiest. Approximately two out of three persons that were unable to access all the medicines reported difficulties obtaining them in services funded by the public sector. There was an increase in out-of-pocket expenditure on medicines in Brazil and a reduction in access through the SUS, among users of the system.

O objetivo do estudo foi analisar e comparar a prevalência, a forma de obtenção e os fatores associados ao acesso a medicamentos entre usuários do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) no Brasil. Foram analisados os dados das edições 2013 e 2019 da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde, estudo de abrangência nacional e representativo da população brasileira. Os desfechos foram: (1) a obtenção total, por meio do SUS, dos medicamentos prescritos em atendimentos em saúde realizados no próprio SUS nas duas semanas anteriores à entrevista, e (2) a obtenção total dos medicamentos independentemente da fonte. Características demográficas e socioeconômicas foram incluídas como variáveis independentes. Em 2019, observou-se que 29,7% dos entrevistados obtiveram no SUS todos os medicamentos prescritos, que 81,8% tiveram acesso total aos medicamentos quando consideradas todas as fontes de obtenção e que 56,4% pagaram algum valor pelos medicamentos. A proporção de pessoas que não obtiveram nenhum medicamento no SUS e que efetuaram algum desembolso direto aumentou entre 2013 e 2019. A probabilidade de obter todos os medicamentos no SUS foi maior entre os mais pobres, e de consegui-los, independentemente da fonte, foi maior entre os mais ricos. Dentre as pessoas que não conseguiram acesso a todos os medicamentos, aproximadamente duas em cada três indicaram como principal motivo dificuldades de obtenção encontradas em serviços financiados pelo setor público. Verificou-se ampliação do desembolso direto para compra de medicamentos no Brasil e redução de acesso pelo SUS entre usuários do sistema.

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar y comparar la prevalencia, la forma de obtención y los factores asociados al acceso a los medicamentos entre los usuarios del Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) en Brasil. Se analizaron los datos de las ediciones 2013 y 2019 de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud, un estudio de cobertura nacional y representativo de la población brasileña. Los resultados fueron: (1) la obtención total, a través del SUS, de los medicamentos prescritos en los servicios de salud realizados en el propio SUS en las dos semanas anteriores a la entrevista, y (2) la obtención total de los medicamentos independientemente de la fuente. Las características demográficas y socioeconómicas se incluyeron como variables independientes. En 2019 se observó que el 29,7% de los entrevistados obtuvo todos los medicamentos prescritos en el SUS, que el 81,8% tuvo acceso total a los medicamentos al considerar todas las fuentes de obtención y que el 56,4% pagó por los medicamentos. La proporción de personas que no obtuvieron ningún medicamento en el SUS y que realizaron algún gasto directo aumentó entre 2013 y 2019. Entre los pobres, la probabilidad de obtener todos los medicamentos del SUS fue mayor, y entre los más ricos también fue mayor esta obtención independientemente de la fuente. Entre las personas que no pudieron acceder a todos los medicamentos, aproximadamente dos de cada tres indicaron como razón principal las dificultades que se encuentran en los servicios financiados con fondos públicos. Hubo un aumento del gasto directo para la compra de medicamentos en Brasil y una reducción del acceso a través del SUS entre los usuarios del sistema.

Air Pollution, Socioeconomic Status, and Age-Specific Mortality Risk in the United States.

Importance: Prior studies on the association between fine particulate matter with diameters 2.5 µm or smaller (PM2.5) and probability of death have not applied multilevel analysis disaggregating data for US census tract, states, and counties, nor tested its interaction by socioeconomic status (SES). Such an approach could provide a more refined identification and targeting of populations exposed to increased risk from PM2.5. Objective: To assess the association between PM2.5 and age-specific mortality risk (ASMR) using disaggregated data at the census tract level and evaluate such association according to census tract SES. Design, Setting, and Participants: This nationwide cross-sectional study used a linkage of 3 different data sets. ASMR for the period of 2010 to 2015 was obtained from the National Center for Health Statistic, SES data covering a period from 2006 to 2016 came from the American Community Survey, and mean PM2.5 exposure levels from 2010 to 2015 were derived from well-validated atmospheric chemistry and machine learning models. Data were analyzed in April 2021. Exposures: The main exploratory variable was mean census tract-level long-term exposure to PM2.5 from 2010 to 2015. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was census tract-level ASMR. Multilevel models were used to quantify the geographic variation in ASMR at levels of census tract, county, and state. Additional analysis explored the interaction of SES in the association of ASMR with PM2.5 exposure. Results: Data from 67 148 census tracts nested in 3087 counties and 50 states were analyzed. The association between exposure to PM2.5 and ASMR varied substantially across census tracts. The magnitude of such association also varied across age groups, being higher among adults and older adults. Census tracts accounted for most of the total geographic variation in mortality risk (range, 77.0%-94.2%). ASMR was higher in deciles with greater PM2.5 concentration. For example, ASMR for age 75 to 84 years was 54.6 per 1000 population higher in the decile with the second-highest PM2.5 concentration than in the decile with the lowest PM2.5 concentration. The ASMR, PM2.5 concentrations, and magnitude of the association between both were higher in the census tracts with the lowest SES. Conclusions and Relevance: This cross-sectional study found that census tracts with lower SES presented higher PM2.5 concentrations. ASMR and air pollution varied substantially across census tracts. There was an association between air pollution and ASMR across all age groups in the United States. These findings suggest that equitable public policies aimed at improving air quality are needed and important to increase life expectancy.