Cost of premature death due to cardiovascular diseases associated with air pollution in the metropolitan region of the Paraíba Valley

Abstract

The effects of exposure to air pollutants are usually associated with hospitalizations and deaths from diseases of the respiratory and circulatory systems. The most sensitive populations are children and the elderly. National and international studies have identified particulate matter (PM10) as associated with these events. Some national studies have shown that the decrease of the concentrations of this pollutant can lead to a decrease and, consequently, to the reduction of hospital expenses for the Unified Health System (SUS). However, when this hospitalization results in death, there are few national studies on the costs of this premature death. This cost can be estimated by the DALY (Disability Adjusted Life Years) methodology, developed in a World Bank study. This project intends to use this methodology to estimate the cost of premature deaths in municipalities in the Metropolitan Region of Vale do Paraíba and Litoral Norte, caused by cardiovascular diseases in the period between 2014 and 2016, associated with concentrations of PM10 and the impact on costs of reduction concentrations. The hospitalization data will be obtained from DATASUS and the concentrations of pollutants and climatic variables will be obtained from CETESB, which is monitored in four cities in the Paraíba Valley. These data will be analyzed using the generalized linear model of the Poisson regression, since these data have a Poisson probability distribution. The relative risks of exposure in the genesis of hospitalizations will be estimated. Premature deaths will be estimated by the YLL (Years of Life Lost) equation that is part of the DALY. Using the concepts of Proportional Attributable Risk and Attributable Population Fraction, the potential years lost will be estimated, each year being valued at E 50 thousand. The reduction in PM10 concentrations will be considered to estimate the reduction in costs of these premature deaths. (AU)