Associações Ecológicas Entre Fatores Socioeconômicos, Ambientais e a Prevalência de Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2 nas Regiões Brasileiras: Um Estudo Ecológico

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic condition with increasing prevalence, representing one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Brazil and worldwide. It is estimated that approximately 16.8 million Brazilians were diagnosed with the disease in 2021, with significant regional disparities. Regions such as the North and Northeast have higher rates of T2DM, often associated with unfavorable socioeconomic factors, such as low income and limited access to healthcare services. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the associations between socioeconomic and environmental factors and the prevalence of T2DM in the five regions of Brazil. METHODOLOGY: Using an ecological approach, the research analyzed aggregated data from public sources, such as the Mortality Information System (SIM), the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), the National Health Survey (PNS), and the International Diabetes Federation, from 2017 to 2021. A search was also conducted in the PubMed database, using the terms “socioeconomic factors and diabetes prevalence in Brazil,” “environmental determinants and type 2 diabetes,” and “regional disparities in diabetes Brazil.” Socioeconomic variables included average per capita income, education level, and access to healthcare services, while environmental variables addressed urbanization rates and access to recreational areas. RESULTS: The results showed that the North and Northeast regions had the highest prevalence rates of T2DM, reflecting the interrelationship between socioeconomic conditions, urbanization, and the consumption of ultra-processed foods. The analysis highlighted that the lack of infrastructure and recreational areas, especially in urban peripheries, contributes to sedentary lifestyles and, consequently, to the increased prevalence of the disease. CONCLUSION: These findings underscore the importance of public policies that address socioeconomic inequalities and promote healthy lifestyles, aiming to reduce the burden of T2DM in Brazil.