The latest data from the National Statistics Institute (INE) reveals a record high of 518 deaths in 2023, raising the mortality rate to 4.9 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, the highest level recorded since at least 2010, when it was 1.1.
In 2022, 472 deaths (4.5%) were recorded, in 2021 there were 398 (3.8%), and in 2020 there were 413 (4%).
The data indicates that 57% of the recorded deaths were among individuals aged over 85, followed by the 75-84 age group, accounting for 28% of deaths.
According to INE, six out of 10 deaths were women.
“In those aged over 85, the mortality rate reached 78.6 per 100,000, the second highest was in the 75-84 age group (16.6%), followed by infants under one year old (4.9),” according to INE.
The deaths, as listed, are attributed to the use of unclean water sources or deficient or non-existent sanitation and hygiene conditions. This includes deaths from cholera, typhoid fever, shigellosis, or other intestinal bacterial infections and parasitic diseases.
The president of the National Association of Public Health Doctors, Bernardo Gomes, stated, “It is important to understand if this phenomenon has regional traditions, particularly in terms of cultural patterns of using uncontrolled water sources.”
Hydrobiologist Adriano Bordalo advocated for collaborative efforts between the ministries of Health and Environment, which “could lead to the development of corrective actions.”
“If the studies are not conducted, we cannot improve the health of our population,” he said.
