The underlying causes of violent deaths among residents of the great municipal area of the city of S. Paulo, Brazil in 1960, 1965, 1970 and 1975 were studied. The informations on the autopsies were provided by the Instituto Médico Legal (Institute of Forensic Medicine), the legal entity in charge of autopsies of these deaths. Analysis was carried out using important epidemiological variables. Results show that risk of death from violent causes increased from 1960 to 1975. The fact that homicide and traffic accidents are the main causes proves that they are important problems to public health.
Death, vident causes; Homicide; Accidents, traffic