Abstract
Objective: Analyze deaths from external causes in Santa Catarina, from 2008 to 2017. Methods: Descriptive epidemiological study based on secondary data from the Mortality Information System. Results: External causes may present as one of the main causes of death in Santa Catarina. Deaths are not evenly distributed in the territory of Santa Catarina, with a concentration (49,8%) in four health regions. Among the main causes are transport accidents – involving motorcycle, vehicle and pedestrian occupants, falls and drowning, assaults by firearms and self-harm by hanging. During the period analyzed, there may be a mortality rate due to traffic accidents and, at the same time, increased aggression. Men aged 20 to 49 are the most affected. Deaths in white people represent 87.3% of the total, although black and brown people die in greater proportions in the age group between 20 and 49 years, just as the number of deaths due to aggression is higher. Conclusion: Mortality from external causes, and therefore preventable, presents an important public health problem and affect people differently according to sex, color and age group.