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Natural hazards fatalities in Brazil, 1979–2019

Author

Listed:
  • Gabriela Couto

    (National Institute for Space Research (INPE))

  • Alber Sanchez

    (National Institute for Space Research (INPE))

  • Regina Célia Alvalá

    (National Center for Monitoring and Early Warning of Natural Disasters (CEMADEN))

  • Carlos Afonso Nobre

    (National Institute for Space Research (INPE)
    University of São Paulo)

Abstract

The impact of natural hazards on nations and societies is a global challenge and concern. Worldwide, studies have been conducted within and between countries, to examine the spatial distribution and temporal evolution of fatalities and their impact on societies. In Brazil, no studies have comprehensively identified the fatalities associated with all natural hazards and their specificities by decade, region, sex, age, and other victim characteristics. This study carries out an in-depth analysis of the Brazilian Mortality Data of the Brazilian Ministry of Health, from 1979 to 2019, identifying the natural hazards that kill the most people in Brazil and their particularities. Lightning is the deadliest natural hazard in Brazil during this period, with a gradual decrease in the number of fatalities. The number of hydro-meteorological fatalities increases from 2000 onwards, with the highest number of fatalities occurring between 2010 and 2019. Although Brazil is a tropical country affected by severe droughts, extreme heat has the lowest number of fatalities compared to other natural hazards. The period from December to March has a higher number of fatalities, and the southeast is the most populous region where most people die. The number of male victims is twice as high as the number of female victims, across all ages groups, and unmarried victims are the most likely to die. It is therefore essential to recognize and disseminate the knowledge about the impact of different natural hazards on communities and societies, namely on people and their livelihoods, in order to assess the challenges and identify opportunities for reducing the effects of natural hazards in Brazil.

Suggested Citation

  • Gabriela Couto & Alber Sanchez & Regina Célia Alvalá & Carlos Afonso Nobre, 2023. "Natural hazards fatalities in Brazil, 1979–2019," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 118(2), pages 1487-1514, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:nathaz:v:118:y:2023:i:2:d:10.1007_s11069-023-06059-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s11069-023-06059-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nathan S. Debortoli & Pedro Ivo M. Camarinha & José A. Marengo & Regina R. Rodrigues, 2017. "An index of Brazil’s vulnerability to expected increases in natural flash flooding and landslide disasters in the context of climate change," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 86(2), pages 557-582, March.
    2. Emilio Zagheni & Raya Muttarak & Erich Striessnig, 2015. "Differential mortality patterns from hydro-meteorological disasters: Evidence from cause-of-death data by age and sex," Vienna Yearbook of Population Research, Vienna Institute of Demography (VID) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Vienna, vol. 13(1), pages 47-70.
    3. S. Pereira & J. L. Zêzere & I. Quaresma & P. P. Santos & M. Santos, 2016. "Mortality Patterns of Hydro‐Geomorphologic Disasters," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 36(6), pages 1188-1210, June.
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