Alcohol- and drug-related mortality in Brazil: an ecological and population-based study on changes observed during the COVID-19 pandemic

Key Points

• Alcohol-related mortality increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing a concerning trend.
• The study highlights a notable rise in drug-related mortality rates, pointing to urgent public health challenges.
• Ecological and population-based study analyzed mortality trends across Brazil amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Findings suggest that increased substance misuse may require targeted intervention strategies.