Clima e doenças respiratórias: inter-relações no município de Belo Horizonte (MG)

• Ano de defesa: 2019
• Autor(a) principal: Denise Marques Sales
• Tipo de documento: Dissertação
• Tipo de acesso: Acesso aberto
• Idioma: por
• Instituição de defesa: Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Brasil; IGC - DEPARTAMENTO DE GEOGRAFIA; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geografia; UFMG
• Palavras-chave em Português: Elementos climáticos; Fatores socioeconômicos; Vulnerabilidade; Doenças respiratórias
• Link de acesso: http://hdl.handle.net/1843/30148

Urban health should be considered using a framework that considers the interactions and associations between environmental and social factors. Considering the interconnectedness of the urban environment, it is important to identify factors which jeopardize the health and wellbeing of urban residents. Spatiotemporal analysis from an interdisciplinary perspective is one approach to evaluate these relationships. Climatic variables have been gaining attention among epidemiological studies using this approach, particularly those examining respiratory health. Respiratory diseases are a major concern in Belo Horizonte (MG), where they are one of the leading causes of hospitalization. Accordingly, the aim of this study is to understand how climatic conditions affect respiratory health among a vulnerable population (0 to 5 year-olds) in the urban environment of Belo Horizonte. Monthly records were obtained from nine weather stations, and atmospheric systems were identified using synoptic charts and satellite imagery. Municipal data on respiratory diseases and urban infrastructure by census tract was also utilized. Methods included rhythmic analysis and environmental modeling. Respiratory diseases were associated with seasonality, climatic factors (temperature variations, relative humidity, precipitation, and pollutants), and socio-spatial elements (average income and proximity to industrial complexes). April was the annual peak of respiratory disease occurrence and January was the month of lowest incidence. Spatial analysis by census tract revealed that the districts of Venda Nova, North, Northeast, East, and Barreiro had the highest rates of respiratory disease. The results of this study may be used by the municipal government to reduce costs and enact effective policies in vulnerable areas. These actions are important to reduce inequities in hospitalization, treatment, and prevention of respiratory diseases in both children ages 0 to 5 and other affected age groups.