The Impact of Noncommunicable Diseases on Premature Mortality Among University Professors in Brazil: A Time-Series Study Spanning 2012 to 2022

Abstract

Background:

We examined premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) among Brazilian university professors, a socially influential workforce exposed to psychosocial stressors and occupational demands that may affect chronic disease risk.

Methods:

We conducted an ecological time-series study (2012–2022) of adults aged 30 to 64 years, using mortality data from the Brazilian Mortality Information System. We assessed trends in proportional mortality ratios (PMRs) for cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory disease (CRD) using joinpoint regression. Because denominators for professors were unavailable across the entire period, we compared absolute premature mortality rates with those of the general population only for 2021 to 2022.

Findings:

Between 2012 and 2022, 3,929 premature deaths occurred among professors, 54.4% due to NCDs versus 49.6% in the general population. PMRs showed declines in cancer (men: APC −2.1%; women: −1.7%; all p < .05), an increase in diabetes among men (APC 9.5%; p = .048), and stability for CVD and CRD. In 2021 to 2022, professors had lower premature mortality from CVD, CRD, diabetes (men), and cancer (men; all p < .05), with no advantage for cancer in women (both years) or diabetes in women (2022; p > .05). Breast cancer mortality was higher among female professors in 2021 (OR = 1.54; 95% CI [1.13, 2.09]; p = .008).

Conclusion:

While professors benefit from lower premature NCD mortality, sex-specific gaps underscore the need for tailored preventive strategies in worker health programs.

Application to Practice:

Findings underscore the importance of integrating targeted cancer screening, cardiovascular risk assessment, and diabetes surveillance into university-based occupational health programs.