Burden of disease attributable to risk factors: Estimates of the Global Burden of Disease from 1990 to 2021

Abstract

Objectives: Analyze the burden of diseases attributable to risk factors (RF) in Brazil according to age, sex, and Brazilian states between 1990 and 2021.

Methods: This study used data from the Global Burden of Disease study 1990 to 2021. The metrics used in this analysis included: mortality rates, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and Summary Exposure Value (SEV). A ranking of the risk factors was created by highlighting the changes between 1990 and 2021, according to sex, age group, and Brazilian state. RF were analyzed according to the Socio-Demographic Index (SDI).

Results: Decline the risk factors of tobacco (-50.2 %), environmental: water, sanitation and hand washing (-58.0 %), and air pollution (-45.0 %), as well as an increase in the burden attributable to BMI (+78.4 %), alcohol consumption (+15.7 %). High systolic blood pressure ranked first in all states in 2021, followed by high blood glucose; tobacco ranking third in most states. The burden of diseases attributable to RFs in Brazil varied considerably between men and women, age groups, and states. Trends in the period from 1990 to 2021 showed a strong correlation with the SDI, better results being observed in states with higher SDI.

Conclusions: High blood pressure, high BMI and tobacco are the main risk factors for mortality and DALYs in 2021. The burden of disease has a high correlation with socio-economic indicator (SDI). It is important to strengthen public policies that promote healthy lifestyles, thus reducing disease and death.

Keywords: Brazil; Global Burden of Disease; Noncommunicable diseases; Risk factors.