Abstract
Objective: To describe and to analyze the epidemiological profile of mortality from external causes (EC) in the municipality of Sobral, Ceará, from 2013 to 2017. Methods: Descriptive, ecological and quantitative study. Data provided by the Ministry of Health, through the Mortality Information System, through which the epidemiological profile of EC mortality in the municipality was traced, as well as its evolution during the five-year period analyzed. Results: There was an increase in the mortality rate by EC, in the period, from 99,16 to 107,53 deaths per 100,000 habitants. The most affected groups were men (87,19%), brown (86,89%), between 20 and 39 years (47,45%). The main external cause of mortality was homicide (49,25%), with firearms (75,2%), followed by transport accidents (28.33%), mainly motorcycles (49.12%). Conclusion: The study reveals the progressive increase in the number of deaths from external causes in the municipality. In addition, the group most affected is the man, young and brown: a marginalized profile by society. There is a need to develop not only health policies, but also social and public security policies in order to reduce the problem.