Investigating the Relationship between Climate and Hospital Admissions for Respiratory Diseases before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil

This study aimed to analyze meteorological variables versus hospital admissions for respiratory diseases the age groups of children under five and elderly (over 65 years age) in different climate regions Brazil, 2018 2020, i.e., before after outbreak COVID-19 pandemic. The aim was, on one hand, evaluate influence weather disease humans, other take into account two with differing dynamics due a worldwide pandemic that significantly changed people’s lifestyles. human biometeorological index (Universal Thermal Climate Index, UTCI) was used as representative integral association variables. UTCI data were obtained from ERA5-HEAT reanalysis database, which provides hourly grid spatial resolution 0.25° × 0.25°. Brazilian cities Manaus, Brasilia Porto Alegre, represent climatic contexts country, analysis. method compared temperature admission diseases, Unified Health System database (DATASUS), according International Classification Diseases, Tenth Edition (ICD-10). Correlation analysis performed between (hospital climate-related data) order identify associations them, also accounting time-lag effects. We analyzed seasonal influences correlations, correlation strength direct or inverse relationships. Results showed interfered morbidity illnesses