Brígida Gimenez Carvalho et al. Regina Kazue Tanno de Souza Darli Antonio Soares Mara Cristina Nishikawa Yagi
BACKGROUND: The reduction in morbidity and mortality rates from diseases of the circulatory system (DCS) is one of the greatest challenges in primary care, and the implementation of the Family Health Program provides access to the multisectoral and integrated measures required for dealing with these diseases. OBJECTIVE: To analyze DCS mortality and hospitalization rates before and after the implementation of the Family Health Program, in Londrina, Paraná. METHODS: This was an ecological study, comparing DCS, cerebrovascular disease (CbVD) and ischemic heart disease (IHD) mortality rates and hospitalization rates by the SUS, in residents of Londrina, in two 4-year periods: 1997 to 2000, and 2002 to 2005. The data were obtained from the Mortality Information System and the Hospital Information System of the SUS. The ratios between the rates were calculated for both periods at 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: The DCS was the first cause of death in the city, in both quadrennia. The CbVD and IHD accounted for more than 63% of DCS deaths. In comparing the two quadrennia, there was a reduction in CbVD mortality rates, which was significant only for subjects over 59 years, in both genders, and the hospitalization rates increased by 10%. For IHD, no significant change occurred in mortality rates, and there was a 40% increase in hospitalization rates. CONCLUSION: The significant reduction only in CbVD mortality in the elderly suggests the need for expanding health assistance coverage to different population groups and the development of preventive and health promotion measures.