It is estimated that in Brazil, the population aged 60 years or more will be around 34 million in 2025. The elderly experienced, in the process of ageing, a series of amendments, which give the appearance of a number of diseases that can lead them to death. Faced with this reality, this study aimed to analyze the evolution of the mortality rate among the elderly in municipalities in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, from 1996 to 2004, taking into account the age and gender differences during this period, and to identify the main causes of deaths. Based on the results, it could be noticed that the diseases of the circulatory system showed the highest rates, followed by respiratory diseases and neoplasms. Between genders, diabetes mellitus is more prevalent among women. With regard to age, the highest rates are in the population over 80 years.
Mortality Rate; Aged; Cities; Age Distribution; Cause of Death; Epidemiology