ANALYSIS OF MORTALITY FROM PNEUMONIA IN ELDERLY INDIVIDUALS AGED 80 YEARS AND OVER IN BRAZIL BETWEEN 2014 AND 2024

Abstract

Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of mortality among older adults, especially those aged 80 years and over, due to immunological fragility and associated comorbidities; this study aimed to analyze the mortality profile from pneumonia in this age group in Brazil between 2014 and 2024, based on data from the Brazilian Unified Health System Hospital Information System (SIH/SUS); this is an ecological, quantitative, and descriptive analysis that included variables such as geographic region, sex, and race/color; the results revealed a higher number of deaths in the Southeast and Northeast regions, with predominance among White individuals in the South and Southeast and mixed-race individuals in the North and Northeast; the COVID-19 pandemic significantly contributed to the increase in deaths between 2020 and 2022; men presented higher lethality rates, and social vulnerability, low vaccination coverage, and regional inequalities were determining factors for negative outcomes; the findings highlight the need to strengthen public policies aimed at prevention, early diagnosis, and equity in healthcare access for the oldest-old population.