Influência do Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano Municipal e da Cobertura Assistencial da Estratégia Saúde da Família sobre a mortalidade pela COVID-19 na Macrorregião de Saúde Sul de Minas Gerais

Abstract

The dynamics of confirmed cases and deaths from COVID-19 in Brazil are influenced by both the spread of the pandemic and socioeconomic factors. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct a detailed analysis of COVID-19 mortality in Brazilian municipalities, particularly when correlating this outcome with socioeconomic indicators. Notably, the Municipal Human Development Index (MHDI) and the Family Health Strategy (FHS) care coverage rate have played a fundamental role in dealing with health crises. This study analyzed the influence of the MHDI, FHS coverage, and COVID-19 mortality in the Southern Health Macroregion of Minas Gerais. The study was conducted as an ecological, exploratory, and analytical study. The MHDI and FHS care coverage rates were identified, and the Specific Mortality Rates (SMR) and Proportional Mortality Rates (PMR) by COVID-19 were calculated in 149 municipalities in 2020 using secondary sources and government public domain. The Southern Health Macroregion of Minas Gerais is divided into three macroregions: Southwest, Extreme South, and South. The Southern Macroregion showed significant results, with a correlation found between the 2010 MHDI and the EMR (0.002) and PMR (0.001). However, there were no significant correlations found between the FHS care coverage rate and the EMR (0.105) or the MPR (0.067) in any of the three macroregions. The correlation between a high MHDI and higher mortality rates may be attributed to several factors, including high population movement, maintenance of economic activities, mass transportation, urban agglomerations, and lower population adherence to non-pharmacological measures, especially in the first year of the pandemic. This scenario increases the transmissibility of the virus, resulting in a greater number of cases and, consequently, higher mortality rates. In addition, municipalities with a higher MHDI tend to carry out more COVID-19 tests, resulting in increased detection of cases and more effective notification of deaths. These indicators emphasize the significance of comprehending the MHDI's impact on COVID-19 mortality rates, providing valuable insights for municipal managers in the Southern Macroregion of Minas Gerais to formulate effective public policies to combat the pandemic. Additional research is proposed to deepen the understanding of this subject and contribute to the development of more effective strategies to combat the pandemic, given the lack of studies and notable heterogeneity in results obtained in Brazil. Considering the scarcity of existing studies and the notable heterogeneity in the results obtained in a country like Brazil, it is proposed that further research be conducted on this subject. Brazil has a continental territorial size and is characterized by marked disparities in human, socioeconomic, and cultural development in its various regions.