Variations in Atmospheric Electromagnetism and Their Impacts on Mortality Rates in the Southern and Northeastern Regions of Brazil

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between geomagnetic indices and mortality rates from specific diseases in the Northeast (NE) and Southern (S) regions of Brazil from 1996 to 2020. Solar activity data, including the Ap and Sudden Ionospheric Disturbance (SID) indices, were sourced from the World Data Center, while mortality data were obtained from the Mortality Information System (SIM-DATASUS). Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) emerged as the leading cause of mortality, with average death rates of 60.4, 56.8, and 58.3 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants in Pernambuco (PE), Rio Grande do Sul (RS), and Paraná (PR), respectively. Temporal analysis revealed a consistent upward trend in AMI mortality across most states, except for Santa Catarina (SC). Seasonal patterns identified through Principal Component Analysis (PCA) demonstrated that geomagnetic and climatic indices influenced mortality differently across regions and seasons. The Ap geomagnetic index was strongly correlated with higher AMI mortality rates during summer, while the SID index showed greater relevance during winter. A dipole phenomenon was observed, with AMI deaths increasing alongside geomagnetic activity in the S region but showing an inverse relationship in the NE region. These findings highlight the significant influence of geomagnetic variations on public health, particularly cardiovascular mortality. The study underscores the need for further research into the biological mechanisms underlying these associations and recommends the development of early warning systems and targeted preventive measures to mitigate the potential health impacts of geomagnetic disturbances, especially for vulnerable populations.