Mortality risk measure inequalities among workers in Southeast Brazil

Introduction The main causes of illness and death in Brazil have been migrating backwards into the younger population during the last few years, increasing especially in the more productive age groups. Given the relationship between work and health/disease process, the hypothesis to be considered is that this phenomenon is partially due to the deterioration of workplace conditions. To contribute to investigating this hypothesis, this study estimates mortality risk indicators for the population of Botucatu, in the South east region of Brazil, classified according to their occupation. Methods Standardized mortality coefficient, standardized risk ratio, and years of potentia[ life lost were calculated for the inhabitants of Botucatu who died after their 10(th) birthday, between January 1997 and March 1998, and classified according to their occupation and main cause of death. Occupational and medical information was obtained by interviewing families of the deceased and their doctors, and checking medical files. Results The standardized mortality coefficient ranged from 0.6 to 39.9 deaths/1000 workers in different occupations. The years of potential life lost ranged from 33 to 334 years/1000 workers. The ranking of causes of death varied according To occupation and the mortality risk considered. Conclusion The risk measures analyzed showed a high heterogeneity when associated to occupation and causes of death, which reflects the great social inequality existingin the studied population.