A nationwide study on immunosenescence biomarkers profile in older adults: ELSI-Brazil.

Immunosenescence is a phenomenon caused by changes in the immune system, and part of these changes involves an increase in circulating immunological biomarkers, a process known as "Inflammaging." Inflammaging can be associated with many diseases related to older people. As the older population continues to grow, understanding changes in the immune system becomes essential. While prior studies assessing these alterations have been conducted in countries with Caucasian populations, this investigation marks a pioneering effort. The object of the study is to describe for the first time that the distribution of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors serum levels, assessed by Luminex platform, has been examined in a Brazilian population-based study of older adult females and males by age. Blood samples from 2111 participants (≥50 years old) were analyzed at the baseline (2015/2016) of the ELSI-Brazil study. The exploratory variables considered in the study were age, sex, educational level, residence area, geographic region, alcohol and smoking consumption, physical activity, and self-reported medical diagnoses of hypertension, diabetes, asthma, arthritis, and cancer. The association between serum biomarker levels and age was assessed by a quantile regression model adjusted in the total population and stratified by sex. The significance level considered in the analysis was 0.05. The mean age of the participants was 62.9 years, with a slight majority of female (52.7 %). Differences were found between the sexes in the median circulating levels of the CCL11, CXCL10, and FGF biomarkers. Eight biomarkers showed significant associations with age, including the pro-inflammatory CXCL10, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17, and IL-2; and type 2/regulatory CCL11 and IL-4, showing positive associations, and anti-inflammatory IL-1Ra showing a negative association. The results suggest similar associations between the sexes, revealing an inflammatory profile characterized by types 1 and 2. Remarkably, these findings reinforce the concept of the Inflammaging process in Brazilian population. These findings add novel insights to about the immunosenescence aspects in middle-income countries and help define biomarkers capable of monitoring inflammation in older adults.

Consumption of fruits and vegetables among older adults: findings from the ELSI-Brazil study.

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of recommended consumption of fruits and vegetables and their associated factors in a national sample representative of the Brazilian population aged 60 or over. Baseline data from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil), conducted from 2015 to 2016, including 4,982 older individuals, were used. The recommended consumption of fruits and vegetables was assessed based on questions on the weekly and daily frequency of fruits, natural fruit juice, and vegetables. Intake of five or more servings of these foods on five or more days per week was considered as recommended consumption. Exploratory variables included socio-demographic characteristics, health behaviors, health conditions, and use of health services. Univariate and multiple logistic regression were used to examine the factors associated with the recommended consumption of fruits and vegetables. The prevalence of recommended consumption of fruits and vegetables was 12.9% (95%CI: 11.5-14.3). This consumption showed associations with gender (women - OR = 1.40; 95%CI: 1.08-1.82), age group (80 years or older - OR = 1.66; 95%CI: 1.16-2.37), education level (8 years or more - OR = 2.07; 95%CI: 1.51-2.86), smoking (former smokers - OR = 0.69; 95%CI: 0.55-0.85 and current smokers - OR = 0.50; 95%CI: 0.33-0.77) and medical appointments in the previous 12 months (OR = 1.88; 95%CI: 1.31-2.71). Our findings showed a low prevalence of the recommended consumption of fruits and vegetables among older Brazilian adults, drawing attention to the need for policies aimed at increasing this consumption in the studied population.

Changes in access to water and incidence of waterborne diseases after the Vale dam collapse in Brumadinho (MG), Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To describe, within the Human Rights to Water and Sanitation (HRWS) framework, the access to water supply services and the incidence of waterborne diseases in the communities affected by the dam disaster in Brumadinho (MG), Brazil. METHODS: A quantitative and qualitative methodology was used, having as variables information on access to water supply services and waterborne diseases. The primary data were extracted from the "Brumadinho Health Project", using a sample stratum with 981 people interviewed, totaling 92.5% of the eligible population in the affected communities of Córrego do Feijão and Parque da Cachoeira. The secondary data from Brumadinho was extracted from the project "Sanitation conditions and the River Basin of the B1 River Basin of Mineradora Vale between 2017 and 2020", available in public databases between 2017 and 2020, and qualitative data was collected in 2022 through individual interviews with health professional also live in the communities. RESULTS: With regard to access to water supply services, the results of this combined data analysis indicate that the HRWS is being neglected, especially with regard to availability, accessibility, acceptability and quality of water. The study also shows a significant increase in the incidence of waterborne diseases in the region after the disaster. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to use the HRWS as the basis to the implementation of public policies aiming to reduce vulnerability in access to water supply services.

Metal exposure in a child population after a mine tailings dam failure. Projeto Bruminha.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the urinary concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, Hg, and Mn in children living in areas directly affected by the tailings of the Brumadinho disaster. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional descriptive study on a population of 217 children aged 0 to 6 years, living in Córrego do Feijão (CF), Parque da Cachoeira (PC), Aranha (AR), and Tejuco (TJ), enrolled in the Longitudinal Study of Child Health in Brumadinho (Minas Gerais) - Projeto Bruminha. Socioeconomic data and urine samples were collected to determine the concentration of selected metals. RESULTS: Children living in locations not directly affected by the disaster (AR and TJ) had higher concentrations of As and Mn than those in directly affected areas (CF and PC). Additionally, children living in locations not potentially exposed to dust from tailings mud or mining activity (AR) showed higher urinary As concentrations than those potentially exposed (CF, PC, and TJ). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest the need to investigate possible sources of As exposure in children living in areas not directly affected by the disaster and not potentially exposed to dust.

Changes in access to water and incidence of waterborne diseases after the Vale dam collapse in Brumadinho (MG), Brazil / Alterações no acesso à água e na incidência de doenças de veiculação hídrica após o rompimento da barragem da Vale em Brumadinho (MG)

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe, within the Human Rights to Water and Sanitation (HRWS) framework, the access to water supply services and the incidence of waterborne diseases in the communities affected by the dam disaster in Brumadinho (MG), Brazil. Methods: A quantitative and qualitative methodology was used, having as variables information on access to water supply services and waterborne diseases. The primary data were extracted from the "Brumadinho Health Project", using a sample stratum with 981 people interviewed, totaling 92.5% of the eligible population in the affected communities of Córrego do Feijão and Parque da Cachoeira. The secondary data from Brumadinho was extracted from the project "Sanitation conditions and the River Basin of the B1 River Basin of Mineradora Vale between 2017 and 2020", available in public databases between 2017 and 2020, and qualitative data was collected in 2022 through individual interviews with health professional also live in the communities. Results: With regard to access to water supply services, the results of this combined data analysis indicate that the HRWS is being neglected, especially with regard to availability, accessibility, acceptability and quality of water. The study also shows a significant increase in the incidence of waterborne diseases in the region after the disaster. Conclusion: It is necessary to use the HRWS as the basis to the implementation of public policies aiming to reduce vulnerability in access to water supply services.

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever, na ótica dos direitos humanos à água e ao esgotamento sanitário (DHAES), o acesso à água e a incidência de doenças de veiculação hídrica na região atingida pelo rompimento da barragem da Mina B1 em Brumadinho (MG). Métodos: Utilizou-se a metodologia quantitativa e qualitativa, tendo como variáveis, em ambos os métodos, informações sobre o acesso à água e as doenças de veiculação hídrica. Os dados primários foram extraídos do Projeto de Saúde Brumadinho, sendo aqui utilizado um estrato amostral com 981 pessoas entrevistadas, totalizando 92,5% da população elegível das comunidades atingidas de Córrego do Feijão e Parque da Cachoeira. Os dados secundários de Brumadinho foram coletados pelo Projeto Condições de Saneamento e Saúde da População da Bacia do Rio Paraopeba, a Jusante da Barragem B1 da Mineradora Vale, entre 2017 e 2020, em banco de dados públicos entre 2017 e 2020, e os dados qualitativos foram coletados em 2022 por meio de entrevistas individuais com profissionais de saúde residentes nas comunidades atingidas. Resultados: No tocante ao acesso à água, a análise combinada dos dados apontou que os DHAES estão sendo negligenciados na região, de maneira especial no que se refere à disponibilidade, acessibilidade física, aceitabilidade e qualidade da água. Observou-se também que houve aumento significativo na incidência das doenças de veiculação hídrica na região após o desastre. Conclusão: É necessária utilização dos DHAES como marco referencial na implementação de políticas públicas voltadas para reduzir as situações de vulnerabilidade relacionadas ao acesso à água.

Metal exposure in a child population after a mine tailings dam failure. Projeto Bruminha / Exposição a metais em uma população infantil após rompimento de barragem de rejeitos da mineração. Projeto Bruminha

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to analyze the urinary concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, Hg, and Mn in children living in areas directly affected by the tailings of the Brumadinho disaster. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional descriptive study on a population of 217 children aged 0 to 6 years, living in Córrego do Feijão (CF), Parque da Cachoeira (PC), Aranha (AR), and Tejuco (TJ), enrolled in the Longitudinal Study of Child Health in Brumadinho (Minas Gerais) — Projeto Bruminha. Socioeconomic data and urine samples were collected to determine the concentration of selected metals. Results: Children living in locations not directly affected by the disaster (AR and TJ) had higher concentrations of As and Mn than those in directly affected areas (CF and PC). Additionally, children living in locations not potentially exposed to dust from tailings mud or mining activity (AR) showed higher urinary As concentrations than those potentially exposed (CF, PC, and TJ). Conclusion: Our results suggest the need to investigate possible sources of As exposure in children living in areas not directly affected by the disaster and not potentially exposed to dust.

RESUMO Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar as concentrações urinárias de As, Cd, Pb, Hg e Mn em crianças residentes em localidades diretamente atingidas pelos rejeitos do desastre em Brumadinho. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo descritivo transversal de uma população de 217 crianças de 0 a 6 anos, residentes no Córrego do Feijão (CF), Parque da Cachoeira (PC), Aranha (AR), e Tejuco (TJ) e inscritas no Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde Infantil em Brumadinho (MG) — Projeto Bruminha. Dados socioeconômicos e amostras de urina foram coletados para determinar a concentração dos metais selecionados. Resultados: Crianças residentes em localidades não diretamente atingidas pelo desastre (AR e TJ) apresentaram maiores concentrações de As e Mn do que aquelas em localidades diretamente atingidas (CF e PC). Adicionalmente, crianças residentes em localidades não potencialmente expostas à poeira da lama de rejeito ou da atividade de mineração (AR) apresentaram maiores concentrações urinárias de As do que aquelas potencialmente expostas (CF, PC e TJ). Conclusão: Nossos resultados sugerem a necessidade de se investigar possíveis fontes de exposição ao As em crianças residentes em localidades não diretamente atingidas pelo desastre e não potencialmente expostas à poeira.

Consumption of fruits and vegetables among older adults: findings from the ELSI‐Brazil study / Consumo de frutas e hortaliças em idosos: achados do estudo ELSI-Brasil / Consumo de frutas y verduras en ancianos: hallazgos del estudio Elsi-Brasil

Abstract This study aimed to assess the prevalence of recommended consumption of fruits and vegetables and their associated factors in a national sample representative of the Brazilian population aged 60 or over. Baseline data from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil), conducted from 2015 to 2016, including 4,982 older individuals, were used. The recommended consumption of fruits and vegetables was assessed based on questions on the weekly and daily frequency of fruits, natural fruit juice, and vegetables. Intake of five or more servings of these foods on five or more days per week was considered as recommended consumption. Exploratory variables included socio-demographic characteristics, health behaviors, health conditions, and use of health services. Univariate and multiple logistic regression were used to examine the factors associated with the recommended consumption of fruits and vegetables. The prevalence of recommended consumption of fruits and vegetables was 12.9% (95%CI: 11.5-14.3). This consumption showed associations with gender (women - OR = 1.40; 95%CI: 1.08-1.82), age group (80 years or older - OR = 1.66; 95%CI: 1.16-2.37), education level (8 years or more - OR = 2.07; 95%CI: 1.51-2.86), smoking (former smokers - OR = 0.69; 95%CI: 0.55-0.85 and current smokers - OR = 0.50; 95%CI: 0.33-0.77) and medical appointments in the previous 12 months (OR = 1.88; 95%CI: 1.31-2.71). Our findings showed a low prevalence of the recommended consumption of fruits and vegetables among older Brazilian adults, drawing attention to the need for policies aimed at increasing this consumption in the studied population.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a prevalência do consumo recomendado de frutas e hortaliças e seus fatores associados em uma amostra nacional representativa da população brasileira com 60 anos ou mais. Foram utilizados dados da linha de base do Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros (ELSI-Brasil), realizado entre 2015 e 2016 com 4.982 idosos. O consumo recomendado de frutas e hortaliças foi avaliado com base em questões sobre a frequência semanal e diária de frutas, sucos naturais e hortaliças. A ingestão de cinco ou mais porções desses alimentos em cinco ou mais dias por semana foi considerada como consumo recomendado. As variáveis exploratórias incluíram características sociodemográficas, comportamentos de saúde, condições de saúde e o uso de serviços de saúde. A regressão logística univariada e múltipla foi utilizada para examinar os fatores associados ao consumo recomendado de frutas e hortaliças. A prevalência do consumo recomendado de frutas e hortaliças foi de 12,9% (IC95%: 11,5-14,3). Esse consumo apresentou associação com sexo (feminino - OR = 1,40; IC95%: 1,08-1,82), faixa etária (80 anos ou mais - OR = 1,66; IC95%: 1,16-2,37), escolaridade (8 anos ou mais - OR = 2,07; IC95%: 1,51-2,86), tabagismo (ex-fumantes - OR = 0,69; IC95%: 0,55-0,85; e fumantes - OR = 0,50; IC95%: 0,33-0,77) e número de consultas médicas nos últimos 12 meses (OR = 1,88; IC95%: 1,31-2,71). Os resultados deste estudo mostraram uma baixa prevalência do consumo recomendado de frutas e hortaliças entre idosos brasileiros, chamando a atenção para a necessidade de políticas voltadas para o aumento desse consumo na população estudada.

Resumen El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la prevalencia del consumo recomendado de frutas y verduras y sus factores asociados en una muestra nacional representativa de la población brasileña con 60 años o más. Se utilizaron datos de línea de base del Estudio Longitudinal Brasileño sobre el Envejecimiento (ELSI-Brasil), realizado entre 2015 y 2016 con 4.982 ancianos. El consumo recomendado de frutas y verduras se evaluó en función de preguntas sobre la frecuencia semanal y diaria de frutas, jugos naturales y verduras. La ingesta de cinco o más porciones de estos alimentos en cinco o más días a la semana se consideró como consumo recomendado. Las variables exploratorias incluyeron características sociodemográficas, comportamientos de salud, condiciones de salud y el uso de servicios de salud. La regresión logística univariada y múltiple se utilizó para examinar los factores asociados con el consumo recomendado de frutas y verduras. La prevalencia de la ingesta recomendada de frutas y verduras fue del 12,9% (IC95%: 11,5-14,3). Ese consumo presentó asociaciones con sexo (femenino - OR = 1,40; IC95%: 1,08-1,82), grupo de edad (80 años o más - OR = 1,66; IC95%: 1,16-2,37), escolaridad (8 años o más; OR = 2,07; IC95%: 1,51-2,86), tabaquismo (exfumadores - OR = 0,69; IC95%: 0,55-0,85; y fumadores - OR = 0,50; IC95%: 0,33-0,77) y consultas médicas en los últimos 12 meses (OR = 1,88; IC95%: 1,31-2,71). Los resultados de este estudio mostraron una baja prevalencia del consumo recomendado de frutas y verduras entre los ancianos brasileños, llamando la atención sobre la necesidad de políticas destinadas a aumentar ese consumo en la población estudiada.

Laboratory profile after mining dam breach: Brumadinho Health Project results.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes in selected laboratory tests in the population included in the Brumadinho Health Project, according to the exposure to the dam failure. METHODS: Cross-sectional study carried out on representative sample of residents (≥12 years) in Brumadinho, Minas Gerais, including: 1) non-exposed; 2) directly affected by tailings sludge; 3) residents in mining area. The prevalence of abnormal results of blood count, total, HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatinine, urea, estimate of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were estimated. The Prevalence Ratios (PR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (95%CI) of having an abnormal laboratory finding were estimated using Generalized Linear Models with Poisson probability distribution. Crude and adjusted models were estimated for age range, gender, diabetes, body mass index, smoking, hypertension. RESULTS: After adjusting, there was no difference in PR between the three populations for most tests, with the exception of the population residing in an area with mining activity and not directly affected by the mud, with a lower chance of having altered total cholesterol (PR: 0.84; 95%CI 0.74-0.95) and a higher chance of having altered HDL cholesterol (PR: 1.26; 95%CI 1.07-1.50), hs-CRP (PR: 1.19; 95%CI 1.04-1.37), and eGFR <60mL/min/1,73 m2 (PR: 1.51; 95%CI 1.05-2.19). CONCLUSION: No significant differences were found in the prevalence of biochemical and hematological alterations between the populations directly exposed and not exposed to tailings. Only the group residing in the mining area had a higher prevalence of alterations related dyslipidemia, renal disease, and inflammation.

Prevalence of metal levels above the reference values in a municipality affected by the collapse of a mining tailings dam: Brumadinho Health Project.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of levels of arsenic, cadmium, mercury, lead and manganese above the reference values (RV) in the population of Brumadinho, after the rupture of the mining tailings dam and to verify the factors associated with these levels. METHODS: Baseline study of a prospective cohort, in a representative sample of 3,080 residents (aged 12 and over) in Brumadinho, Minas Gerais. Exploratory variables (age, sex, skin color, household income, smoking and place of residence) were collected using a questionnaire and the levels of As, Cd and Hg in urine and Pb and Mn in blood were evaluated using the technique of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The distribution of prevalence of levels above the reference for metals was made, according to the exploratory variables. Multiple logistic regression analyzes were used to investigate the association between altered levels of metals and characteristics evaluated. RESULTS: Concentrations above RV were found in 38.08% of the population for Mn, 33.37% for As, 5.04% for Pb, 0.76% for Hg and 0.17% for Cd. There was a significant association between age group and levels of Mn and Pb; and between place of residence and As level. CONCLUSION: The results show a high prevalence of levels above the reference for Mn, As and Pb, with small differences in relation to the other variables, suggesting that it is an exposure distributed throughout the municipality.

Brumadinho Health Project: methodological aspects and epidemiological profile of participants in the cohort baseline.

OBJECTIVE: To present the methodological aspects of the Brumadinho Health Project and to describe the epidemiological profile of participants in the baseline cohort. METHODS: Prospective, population-based cohort study in a representative sample of residents (aged 12 and over) of Brumadinho, Minas Gerais, after a mining tailings dam failure. Information for the baseline was collected in 2021, two years after the mining tailings dam collapsed, including sociodemographic, health and service use aspects, among others. Prevalence estimates of health outcomes were described in Brumadinho, as well as in the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte and Minas Gerais, using data from the 2019 National Health Survey. All analyses were performed in the software Stata 17.0, considering the sampling weights and design effect. RESULTS: 3,080 (86.4%) residents participated in the study, most of them being females (56.7%) and with a mean age of 46.1 years. The diseases more frequently reported were arterial hypertension (30.1%), high cholesterol (23.1%) and depression (22.5%), similarly to what was observed in the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte and Minas Gerais, although the prevalence in Brumadinho was higher. At least one medical appointment and one hospitalization occurred in 75.2% and 9.4% of residents in the past year, respectively. CONCLUSION: It is important to monitor health, physical and mental conditions of residents after the occurrence of a disaster of this magnitude. This information can contribute with risk management of these processes, not only in the affected municipality, but also in other areas where populations are at risk of major disasters.

Healthcare access, utilization, and quality after a disaster: results from the Brumadinho Health Project.

OBJECTIVE: In January 2019 a dam at the Córrego do Feijão mine suffered a catastrophic failure that killed 270 people and caused extensive damage. It is unknown how exposure to such a disaster might affect healthcare utilization. METHODS: We assessed survey data from the Brumadinho Health Project, a cohort study that includes people who were exposed to the dam failure and two comparison groups: people unexposed to mining or the disaster and people from a mining community, but not exposed to the disaster. Main outcomes include any doctor visit or hospitalization in the past year, having a usual source of healthcare, having blood pressure and blood sugar checked, and being up to date with vaccinations, for adults 18 years and over. We used survey-weighted robust Poisson regression to assess differences between those exposed and the two comparison groups while controlling for confounders. RESULTS: In multivariable models, the exposed group had a 15% higher chance of having a doctor visit than the unexposed group. For hospitalization and reports of blood pressure and blood sugar assessments, there was no significant difference among any of the groups. The exposed group had a 24% higher chance and the unexposed mining community had a 143% higher chance of being up to date with immunizations, as compared to the unexposed group. CONCLUSION: There were some differences in healthcare utilization among individuals exposed to the dam failure. Continued monitoring of the situation is warranted, as the full consequences of such a traumatic event may take considerable time to unfold.

Sociodemographic and residential factors associated with multimorbity: results of Brumadinho Health Project.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of multimorbidity and sociodemographic and residential factors associated with this condition among adults living in Brumadinho, Minas Gerais. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with baseline data from the Brumadinho Health Project, conducted in 2021 and comprising 2,777 individuals aged 18 years and over. The outcome variable was multimorbidity, defined by the existence of two or more of 20 chronic diseases. The exploratory variables were sex, age group, educational level, skin color and area of residence according to the dam failure. The association between exploratory variables and multimorbidity was assessed by logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of multimorbidity was 53.8% (95%CI 50.6-56.9). A greater chance of multimorbidity was found among women (adjusted OR=2.5; 95%CI 1.9-3.2), in participants aged between 40 and 59 (adjusted OR=2.8; 95%CI 1.8-4.3) or 60 years and older (adjusted OR=7.9; 95%CI 4.7-13.4) and in residents of the areas that were directly affected by the dam failure (adjusted OR=1.6; 95%CI 1.3-2.0). CONCLUSION: The burden of multimorbidity on the population of Brumadinho requires effective preventive measures and actions to the whole population, but mainly to the most vulnerable groups, that is, women, middle-aged and older individuals, and those directly affected by the dam failure, in addition to a timely provision of health care to reverse this situation.

Brumadinho Health Project: food and nutrition insecurity versus socioeconomic statuses and dimensions of the food system after the dam rupture.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the situation of food insecurity of families according to the socioeconomic characteristics and dimensions of the food system in Brumadinho, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, after the dam rupture in Córrego do Feijão mine. METHODS: This is a descriptive study focused on households carried out from the baseline of the Brumadinho Health Project. Food insecurity, the main outcome, was assessed by the short version of the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale. Other investigated variables were: socioeconomic data; geographic stratum of the households; family's assets; income; expenses; cultivation of food and animal husbandry for consumption. Descriptive analyses were performed comparing the food insecurity of the household according to the other variables by the χ2 test to compare the proportions. RESULTS: Of the investigated households (n=1,441), 35.1% were facing food insecurity. facing food insecurity had: lower prevalence of masonry households with coating (91.4%; 95%CI 87.7%-94.1% vs. 96.7%; 95%CI 94.9%-97.8%); highest proportion of rudimentary cesspit (16.9%; 95%CI 13.3%-21.2% vs. 9.4%; 95%CI 7.4-11.9); lower prevalence of own and paid-off homes (63.9%; 95%CI 56.8-70.5 vs. 77.3%; 95%CI 72.3-81.7); and income reduction after the dam rupture (33.0%; 95%CI 27.1-39.6 vs. 14.1%; 95%CI 11.2-17.6), when compared with those in a food security situation. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of food insecurity was high, with report of a reduction in household income after the dam rupture. Moreover, most of the households had worse structural quality and sewage outfall. These results evidence the vulnerability of families and possible violation of the human right to adequate food, denoting the urgency of continuous reparative actions.

Food consumption of Brumadinho Health Project participants.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the food consumption patterns of residents of Brumadinho, Minas Gerais, Brazil, according to sociodemographic characteristics, neighborhood and area of residence. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with baseline data from the Brumadinho Health Project, conducted with 2,805 adult individuals. The healthy food consumption markers analyzed were: fruits and vegetables (FV), beans and fish; the unhealthy markers were: sweets and soda/artificial juices, whole-fat milk and red meat with visible fat or chicken with skin. Prevalence values and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for the total sample and according to sociodemographic characteristics, presence of commercial establishments with varieties of FV in the neighborhood and area of residence affected by the dam failure. RESULTS: Among the healthy food consumption markers, the most common was beans (81.6%), and among the unhealthy ones, whole-fat milk (68.8%) and red meat with visible fat/chicken with skin (61.1%). Women were more prone to higher consumption of FV, while men, of beans and fish; the prevalence of these markers was higher among individuals with higher education degrees and higher incomes. Unhealthy eating markers were more prevalent among men, younger people, individuals with lower educational level and lower incomes, and residents in an area directly affected by the dam failure or in a mining region. CONCLUSION: Less than half of the participants were considered to follow regular or recommended consumption of healthy eating markers, except for beans. Individual characteristics and area of residence were associated with individuals' food consumption patterns and should be taken into account in actions to promote adequate and healthy eating.

Chronic respiratory diseases and respiratory symptoms after a mining dam rupture: Brumadinho Health Project.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and respiratory symptoms, in Brumadinho, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, after a dam rupture. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study, including a representative sample of adults (aged 18 years and over) in the municipality. Associations were assessed between dependent variables (medical diagnosis of asthma and COPD; symptoms of wheezing, dry cough, and nose irritation) and exploratory variables (sex, age group, smoking habit, having worked at Vale S.A. company before the dam rupture, time and area of residence in relation to the dam rupture). Logistic regression models with odds ratio (OR) calculation and 95% confidence interval were used. RESULTS: We identified a prevalence of 7.2% of asthma; 3.5% of COPD; 8.8% of wheezing; 23.6% of dry cough; and 31.8% of nose irritation. We observed a greater chance of asthma among women and residents in the affected and mining regions, while a greater chance of COPD was observed in smokers and in those with longer time of residence in the municipality. Among the symptoms, we verified a higher chance of nose irritation among women, while a higher chance of wheezing and dry cough were found among smokers (current and former). Residents of regions affected by the mud reported a greater chance of presenting all the analyzed symptoms. Conversely, level of education was negatively associated with wheezing and dry cough. CONCLUSION: We found respiratory changes and identified the groups most vulnerable to developing them, which could contribute to directing actions to reduce the population's respiratory problems.

Factors associated with paid work after the dam failure: Brumadinho Health Project.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the factors associated with paid work, after the dam failure, based on geographic strata, among men and women residing in Brumadinho, Minas Gerais. METHODS: Baseline data from participants of the Brumadinho Health Project, aged 18 years or older, obtained through a questionnaire, between July and November 2021 (n=2,783) were used. The dependent variable was paid work after the dam failure and the explanatory variables were geographic stratum, age, education, race/skin color, self-perception of health and employment relationship before the event. The adjusted analysis was estimated by logistic regression. All analyses were performed separately for men and women. RESULTS: Paid work after the dam failure was reported by 58.3% (95%CI 55.0-61.6) of the participants, with the highest prevalence among men (71.4%; 95%CI 67.1-75.3) compared to women (48.6%; 95%CI 44.3-52.8) (p<0.001). After adjustments, the results showed that the population who was directly exposed to the disaster was less likely to have a paid work after it, both for women (OR=0.68; 95%CI 0.48-0.95) and for men (OR=0.48; 95%CI 0.30-0.78). In addition, women directly exposed to the disaster and who reported being self-employed before it were less likely to have a paid work, compared to women who reported being employed with or without a formal contract. CONCLUSION: Participation in the labor market is determined by several factors. Thus, intersectoral policies are necessary the population's demands of life and work are met in disaster situations.

Prevalence of psychiatric symptoms and associated factors in the adult population from the area affected by the tailings dam rupture - Brumadinho Health Project.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms and associated factors in the adult population of Brumadinho (MG), after the dam collapse. METHODS: We included 2,740 participants with information about symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, thoughts of death/self-harm, and poor sleep quality collected in 2021. Prevalence values of all conditions were estimated to compare the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms with the participants' sociodemographic characteristics and place of residence. Pearson's c2 test was used, with Rao Scott's correction. Crude and adjusted logistic regressions estimated odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals to assess the association between psychiatric symptoms and participants' characteristics. RESULTS: The most common condition was depressive symptoms (29.3%), followed by post-traumatic stress symptoms (22.9%) and anxious symptoms (18.9%). Regarding the association between participants' characteristics in the adjusted analysis, being a female and living in a mining area was positively associated with symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety, thoughts of death/self-harm, and poor sleep quality. A positive association was also found between high school education and post-traumatic stress symptoms. In contrast a negative association was found between being aged ≥60 years and symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety. CONCLUSION: High prevalence values were found for all psychiatric symptoms after the dam failure in Brumadinho. Being a female, living in the mining area, being ≥60 years old, and having an educational level were all associated with the psychiatric symptoms investigated.

Use of psychotropic drugs by population in an area affected by the tailings dam rupture: Brumadinho Health Project.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the consumption of psychotropic drugs in the adult population residing in Brumadinho, Minas Gerais, after the Vale dam collapse, which occurred in 2019. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study, part of the Brumadinho Health Project, developed in 2021, with a representative population-based sample of adults (18 years and over) residing in Brumadinho. A total of 2,805 adults with information on self-reported use of psychotropic drugs (antidepressants and anxiolytics-hypnotics/sedatives) in the last 15 days were included in the analysis. The prevalence of psychotropic drug use was estimated, and the most used psychotropic drugs were identified. Pearson's chi-square test (with Rao-Scott correction) was used to test associations between exposures and use of psychotropic drugs, considering a significance level of p<0.05. RESULTS: The use of antidepressants (14.2%) was more common than the use of anxiolytics or hypnotics/sedatives (5.2%), with sertraline and fluoxetine being the most used antidepressants. The use of anxiolytics and hypnotics/sedatives was higher among residents who lived in the area directly affected by the dam's mud, and the use of any psychotropic drug was higher among those who lost a relative/friend in the disaster and assessed that their health worsened after the disaster, and among women. CONCLUSION: The results of the study corroborate what was observed in other populations exposed to similar tragedies, regarding the pattern of associations and the of use of psychotropic drugs.

Cognitive Frailty is Associated With Elevated Proinflammatory Markers and a Higher Risk of Mortality.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment and physical frailty are common among older adults and associated with a higher likelihood of adverse health outcomes. These two conditions frequently coexist in the same individual as cognitive frailty, yet few studies have examined the impact of such comorbidity on clinical outcomes or underlying biological mechanisms. METHODS: A total of 1,340 older adults (age ≥60 years old) from the Bambui Cohort Study of Ageing, with a total follow-up of 10 years, were included in this study. Frailty was defined by the accumulation of deficit framework and cognitive impairment based on scores on the MMSE less than 22. In addition, serum IL-6 levels were measured by cytometric bead array assay. RESULTS: Individuals classified with cognitive frailty had significantly higher serum IL-6 levels compared to the robust, cognitively unimpaired group. Those with cognitive frailty (aOR = 1.97 [1.18-3.27] and prefrailty and cognitive impairment (aOR = 1.83 [1.24-2.69]) had the highest mortality risk over 10 years of follow-up. Higher IL-6 levels were also independently associated with a higher mortality rate (aOR = 1.37 [1.23-1.54]). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that cognitive Frailty indicates a vulnerability state and of increasing mortality risk. Our findings also suggested that proinflammatory abnormalities can be viewed as a central phenomenon underlying common age-related problems (e.g., cognitive impairment and Frailty) and outcomes (e.g., mortality).