An analysis of lightning deaths in Brazil 2010–2020

Lightning is one of the leading causes of weather-related mortality worldwide. Brazil has the highest number of deaths caused by lightning, and no recent studies present these data. The Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System in Brazil- DATASUS has the Official data on all origins of deaths. Thus, this work analyzed the 781 cases of deaths that occurred between 2010 and 2020, considering death primary caused by lightning. Currently, the states in the northern region of Brazil, due to the greater volume of rainfall and the more exposed work in open areas, have the highest number of deaths. The work also presents an analysis of the trend of reduction in the numbers of deaths that occurred in recent years that may continue. Data from DATASUS showed that most deaths from lightning (24%) occurred in rural areas, affecting agricultural workers (outdoors), but (22%) of the deaths occurred inside homes, and men represent more than 80% of the death victims.