METEOROLOGICAL VARIABILITY, THERMAL DISCOMFORT, AND THEIR ASSOCIATIONS WITH HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATHS FROM RESPIRATORY DISEASES IN MATO GROSSO
climate; climate-sensitive diseases; cardiovascular diseases; thermal indices
Summary Cardiovascular diseases are a major public health problem associated with various factors, including meteorological elements. Thermal discomfort indices are used to measure the thermal sensation of a given environment. The aim of this study was to analyze the meteorological elements associated with human thermal discomfort in the cities of Alta Floresta (MT) and Tangará da Serra (MT) to recognize their impacts on morbidity and mortality in the adult population due to cardiovascular diseases. Meteorological data, including monthly accumulated precipitation and daily average air temperature, relative humidity, and thermal amplitude, were collected from the Agrometeorology Laboratory of the State University of Mato Grosso. Information on the number of hospitalizations and deaths due to cardiovascular diseases (≥ 20 years) was obtained from the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System (DATASUS) website, considering the period from 2013 to 2022. Pearson's parametric correlation test (r) was used for data analysis. It was found that the elderly represent the highest number of hospitalizations and deaths from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in both locations, with the highest number of cases occurring during dry periods. For Alta Floresta, correlations were found for temperature, thermal amplitude, and relative humidity; while in Tangará da Serra, correlations were found with temperature, relative humidity, and precipitation. Regarding thermal discomfort indices for the two cities, correlations were found with ITU and IC both for daily average and for the average of 14 hours. The results show that Alta Floresta has higher temperatures and relative humidity compared to Tangará da Serra, and is more uncomfortable in relation to the indices.