[Mortality from assault in young men in Brazil, 2010-2014: an ecological study]

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Sociology
• Criminology

Background:

• High mortality rates from assault among young males in Brazil present a significant public health challenge.
• Socio-demographic factors are suspected to influence the risk of death from assault in this vulnerable population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the association between the risk of death from assault in young males (15-29 years) and socio-demographic characteristics in Brazilian municipalities.
• To identify key risk factors contributing to assault-related mortality in young men within diverse municipal contexts.

Main Methods:

• Ecological study design utilizing data from 1,651 Brazilian municipalities with over 20,000 inhabitants.
• Data sources included the Brazilian Mortality Information System (SIM), 2010 Population Census, and Human Development Atlas.
• Negative binomial regression models were employed to estimate mortality rate ratios, adjusting for socio-demographic variables.

Main Results:

• A total of 127,137 assault deaths were reported in young males between 2010 and 2014.
• Higher assault mortality rates were associated with more urbanized municipalities, higher poverty rates, and greater income inequality.
• Increased risk was also linked to a lower proportion of youth attending secondary school and a higher proportion of unemployed youth (18-24 years).

Conclusions:

• Mortality from assault is alarmingly high among young Brazilian men, with significant variations based on municipal socio-demographic profiles.
• Urbanization, poverty, unemployment, and educational disparities are critical factors associated with increased risk.
• The findings underscore the urgent need for targeted social policies and interventions to mitigate violence against youth in Brazil.