Analysis of Deaths Due to Electric Shock and the Correlation With the Human Development Index (HDI) in Brazil

Although essential for the development and well-being of society, harnessing electricity carries significant risks. In Brazil, the state of electrical safety has become particularly worrisome, given recent fatality statistics. Hence, it is essential to understand electrical accidents as a social phenomenon to formulate effective prevention strategies. This study analyses deaths due to electric shock in Brazil between 2012 and 2021, using official data from the public health system (DataSUS). The study shows that states with lower Human Development Index (HDI) have a higher rate of occurrences. The research also examined other aspects, such as the victims’ background and the location of the accidents. Finally, some guidelines for creating a program to reduce deaths from electric shock in buildings and overhead electric power distribution are presented.