Brazilian State Research Articles

A Study on The Problematization of Logistics in Agricultural Production in The State of Tocantins

Objective: the research aims to describe the logistical service system, observing the problematization of agricultural production in the state of Tocantins, considering that this sector is one of the most promising in terms of socioeconomic and regional development in the country.
  
 Theoretical benchmark: with the growing advancement of agricultural production and the exploration of new frontiers, Brazil stands out as one of the main exporters of agricultural products today. Given the significant development of agriculture, it is observed that the logistical factor, mainly costs and infrastructure, is among the elements with the greatest impact on the efficiency of the entire agricultural production chain in the state of Tocantins.
  
 Method: the methodology adopted will be the deductive method, based on theoretical logistics studies, applicable legislation, and support materials for logistics learning systems, in addition to economic representation in the state of Tocantins. The resources used include bibliographic and documentary material and other instruments or research techniques in accordance with the adopted methodology, aiming to provide support for research on the proposed theme.
  
 Results and conclusion: given the content of this study, it is highlighted that the chain of agricultural processes encompasses a complex network of activities in the production chain, and cannot be conceived solely as a relationship between producer and consumer, given its breadth of action. In this context, it should be noted that logistics services end up representing one of the obstacles to the development of agriculture in the State of Tocantins, mainly due to its geographic location.
  
 Implications of the research: the approach adopted in this research offers unprecedented scientific contributions to the field of logistics, providing theoretical bases for interventions and public policies that can impact this economic activity in a Brazilian state with strong economic and social growth trends, whose production has repercussions at national and international levels.
  
 Originality/value: the social transformations of recent decades, related to the process of globalization of the economy and technology, have directly influenced the social and economic life of countries, affecting production and service chains and interfering in labor relations. Therefore, the increase in regions dedicated to agribusiness activities is a general trend among emerging countries, requiring a deeper understanding of the territorial approach to regional development, especially in economic activities hampered by bottlenecks in the logistics system, both national and international. Thus, new reflections and planning are necessary and imperative elements in Brazilian states like Tocantins.

Green economy in action: the transformative impact of ecological ICMS in Goiás

The present study aimed to analyze the evolution of ICMS as one of the main sources of environmental revenue for Brazilian States and their Municipalities. It proposed to analyze the legislation inherent to the tax, together with the criteria necessary for its granting. The research will contribute to a broader dialogue on sustainability, emphasizing the importance of integrated policies that consider environmental, social and economic needs for the well-being of current and future generations. It is necessary to consider that this institute will be aimed at its applicability in the State of Goiás. The literature review methodology was used. In addition, the bibliographical survey (books, articles and websites), systematization of data on conservation units, protection areas, the Ecological ICMS and websites of SEMAD (Secretariat of Environment and Sustainable Development), of the Secretariat of Economy, the General Secretariat of the Governorship and other bodies involved. The results were that such policies related to taxation, specifically the Ecological ICMS, are extremely necessary to protect the environment, providing greater implementation of legislation relevant to the topic.

New species of Culicoides, description of female of Culicoides pseudocrescentis Tavares & Luna Dias and new record of Culicoides castillae Fox from Southeastern Brazil (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

A new species of Culicoides, C. andradinensis Felippe-Bauer & Santarém is described and illustrated based on female specimens from the municipality of Andradina, São Paulo state, Brazil. The new species is placed in the limai species group and compared with their related congeners. The description of females of Culicoides pseudocrescentis Tavares & Luna Dias based on specimens from Brazilian states of Espírito Santo and São Paulo is given. Culicoides castillae Fox is first recorded from Brazil. All studied specimens are deposited in the Ceratopogonidae Collection of Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Brazil (Fiocruz/CCER).

Phlebotominae (Diptera: Psychodomorpha: Psychodidae) deposited in the Museum of Zoology of the University of São Paulo

The subfamily Phlebotominae is represented by insects commonly known as sand flies widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, with the Neotropical region having the greatest diversity. Only New Zealand or the Pacific Islands, excepting New Caledonia, do not present records. One means of access to the more than 1,060 described species is through the specimens deposited in biological collections, and the availability of associated data on online platforms for consultation on the part of students and researchers. This being the case, this study aimed catalogue the sand flies deposited in the Invertebrate Collection of the MZUSP (University of São Paulo Museum of Zoology). Twenty-nine species designated as type material were found being of nine holotypes, one “allotype” and 90 paratypes described from five countries in the Americas: Panama, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, and Brazil. In addition to these, 1,346 non-type specimens, from 12 Brazilian states, are deposited in the collection and have been included here in list form. The MZUSP sand fly collection currently houses specimens from 152 species, which represents 28% (546) of the Phlebotominae fauna of the Americas.

Exploring hidden diversity: Molecular insights into the Leporinus species of the rivers of the Brazilian states of Maranhão and Piauí.

The present study delved into the world of hidden diversity by examining specimens identified as Leporinus piau from the river basins of the northern Brazilian states of Maranhão and Piauí. Using genetic analyses that combined data from three mitochondrial markers and one nuclear marker, the study identified two well-supported groups, reinforcing the findings of previous publications. The first group, found in samples from the Itapecuru, Mearim, Turiaçu, and Pericumã basins, in Maranhão, appears to represent a relatively ancient diversification and the possibility of concealed cryptic diversity. The second group, comprising specimens from the Parnaíba (Piauí) and Mearim (Maranhão) basins, appears to have resulted from a more recent process of diversification and has a close relationship with Leporinus friderici from the type locality. Our findings not only confirm the existence of a complex scenario of cryptic diversity in the genus Leporinus from the study basins but also underscore the taxonomic inconsistencies within this group of fish. This study offers a comprehensive analysis of the species diversity of the Maranhão and Piauí basins, which are critical regions for the conservation of Amazonian fish, providing valuable insights for the sustainable management and conservation of these fish.

Low Diversity and High Genetic Structure for Platonia insignis Mart., an Endangered Fruit Tree Species.

Platonia insignis is a fruit tree native to Brazil of increasing economic importance, with its pulp trading among the highest market values. This study aimed to evaluate the structure and genomic diversity of P. insignis (bacurizeiro) accessions from six locations in the Brazilian States of Roraima, Amazonas, Pará (Amazon biome), and Maranhão (Cerrado biome). A total of 2031 SNP markers were obtained using genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS), from which 625 outlier SNPs were identified. High genetic structure was observed, with most of the genetic variability (59%) concentrated among locations, mainly between biomes (Amazon and Cerrado). A positive and significant correlation (r = 0.85; p < 0.005) was detected between genetic and geographic distances, indicating isolation by distance. The highest genetic diversity was observed for the location in the Cerrado biome (HE = 0.1746; HO = 0.2078). The locations in the Amazon biome showed low genetic diversity indexes with significant levels of inbreeding. The advance of urban areas, events of burning, and expansion of agricultural activities are most probably the main factors for the genetic diversity reduction of P. insignis. Approaches to functional analysis showed that most of the outlier loci found may be related to genes involved in cellular and metabolic processes.

Exploring Irregularities in Brazilian Public Bids: An In-depth Analysis on Small Companies

In Brazil, bidding processes constitute the main method through which the Public Administration acquires goods and services, and they aim to select the best proposal between several bidding companies. Analyzing public bids can reveal several negotiating characteristics between companies and the public sector, including alerts of fraudulent activities involving such businesses. This article presents two approaches for detecting irregularities within small companies using data extracted from public bids in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. For each approach, we perform exploratory and geospatial analysis to better understand specific characteristics of the companies with irregularity alerts. Furthermore, we execute a network analysis to examine the underlying connections between such companies. Our findings reveal the efficacy of both approaches in indicating small companies that may be involved in fraudulent activities. Our methodology and results represent a significant advance for the public sector as they have the potential to enhance mechanisms for overseeing and preventing fraud within bidding processes. 

Space-temporal variation and correlation between dengue and COVID-19 in a brazilian amazon state

COVID-19 is considered a serious global public health problem. Over the years, Acre has faced epidemics caused by arboviruses, including dengue. This study evaluates the spatiotemporal correlation between dengue and COVID-19 incidence in Acre, taking into account socioeconomic indicators. It was an ecological, quantitative, and retrospective study. The local Moran index was used for spatial autocorrelation and simple linear regression for the analysis of socioeconomic indicators. The results showed varied spatial autocorrelation for dengue and COVID-19 in different years. The regression in 2021 revealed that 82.9% of COVID-19 notifications were related to dengue. Population density and population size were identified as the main factors for the increase in cases. This analysis suggests that both diseases are affected by the same indicators.

Stand age and soil organic matter management as driven factors of soil biota community composition and soil chemical properties in a subtropical Acrisol

AbstractPyrus pyrifolia is a common temperate fruit crop cultivated in Southern Brazil for fruit production. Although this plant species is found in several Brazilian states (Paraná, Santa Catarina, São Paulo, Rio Grande do Sul), it is predominantly concentrated in the smallholder farming system in Santa Catarina, Brazil. Our aim was to compare the soil biota community composition, soil chemical properties, and soil quality in two adjacent stands with different ages. Within each stand, we analysed the influence of four organic residue management practices. Our results indicated that both studied stands, influenced by different organic residue management practices, exhibited differences in soil biota community composition, soil chemical properties, and soil quality. Acaridae, Araneidae, Blattidae, Halictophagidae, and Opiliones were the main contributors, explaining 78.08% of the variance in the data. The 16‐year‐old stand, with compost utilization, displayed a high biodiversity of soil organisms, average soil chemical properties, and the highest values of soil quality, creating a habitat for predators and providing energy for litter transformers and ecosystem engineers in subtropical Acrisol. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the influence of old stands on soil biota community composition, soil chemical properties, ecosystem homeostasis, herbivory pressure, and prey‐predation relationships. This, in turn, may enhance interest in establishing new management plans for Pyrus pyrifolia stands in commercial orchards.

High Added-Value by-Products from Biomass: A Case Study Unveiling Opportunities for Strengthening the Agroindustry Value Chain

The current era witnesses a remarkable advancement in biomass utilization, guided by the principles of green chemistry and biorefinery and the comprehensive exploitation of plant-based raw materials. Predominantly, large-scale production methods have been pursued, akin to approaches in the oil industry, enabling the incorporation of novel products into energy and petrochemical markets. However, the viability of such systems on a small and medium scale is hindered by logistical challenges and the constraints of economies of scale. For small agricultural producers and food processing companies, the complete utilization of biomass transcends environmental responsibility, evolving into a strategy for survival through the diversification of by-products with enhanced value. The state of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil presents a range of population dynamics, geographical features, climate conditions, and agricultural production patterns that closely resemble those found in various tropical countries and agricultural regions worldwide. This region, sustaining a green belt supporting 17 million people, provides an apt case study for investigating chemical compounds with potential value among agro-industrial residues, which can motivate the creation of a lucrative biotechnological industry. Examples include naringenin and hesperidin from oranges and lemons, epi-gallo-catechin gallate from bananas, caffeic acids from coffee, and the bromelain enzyme from pineapples. This study addresses the challenges associated with developing biotechnological alternatives within the agroindustry, considering economic, technological, logistical, and market-related aspects. The insights from examining the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro will contribute to the broader discourse on sustainable biomass utilization and the creation of value-added by-products.

Multi-objective mammography unit location–allocation problem: A case study

This work addresses the Multi-Objective Mammography Unit Location–allocation Problem (MOMULAP), aiming to meet three objectives: maximize mammography screening coverage, minimize the total distance traveled weighted by the number of users, and maximize equity in access to mammography screening. We introduce a mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) formulation to represent the MOMULAP and algorithms based on the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II) and Strength Pareto Evolutionary Algorithm (SPEA2) for treating it. The algorithms were tested with data from seven Brazilian states. In these states, the number of cities ranges from 139 to 853, equipment from 23 to 347 units, and estimated annual demand for screenings from 96,592 to 1,739,085. The solutions provided by this work allow health managers to choose the appropriate location and allocation of the mammography units, considering different objectives.

Replacing Natural Gas with Biomethane from Sewage Treatment: Optimizing the Potential in São Paulo State, Brazil

The search for cleaner and more sustainable energy sources is increasingly growing. Aligning this demand with another environmental problem, such as sewage treatment/disposal, is a strategic priority. In light of this, the aim of this study was to estimate the energy potential of sewage generated in the Brazilian state of São Paulo (SP) by using it to produce biomethane. The study also evaluated the viability of using this byproduct of sewage treatment (biomethane) as a substitute for natural gas (NG), as both of them have similar lower heat values. To do this, information was gathered regarding the population, gross domestic product per capita, sewage collected, and natural gas consumption for each of the state’s 645 cities, and, based on this, the sewage energy potential, the amount of NG to be substituted by biomethane, and the reduction in CO2 emissions were calculated. Moreover, in order to address a possible allocation of biomethane that could potentially be produced in each SP city and sent to currently NG-consuming cities, an optimization algorithm was proposed. The results indicated a sewage energy potential of 4.68 × 109 kWh/yr for the entire SP state, which would be enough to supply around 10% of the energy value of all the NG currently consumed. It was also observed that from 130 cities with NG consumption, 10 could produce enough biomethane to fully satisfy the natural gas demand. In the elected scenario of optimization, 291 cities were found to be capable of supplying the demand of 26 cities that currently use NG. The potential to reduce CO2 emissions is between 1.81 × 106 and 2.42 × 106 ton/yr, and this range could increase if sewage treatment coverage grows. Despite the challenges inherent in extrapolating a potential study to scenarios that require significative investment, the results obtained are useful for formulating public policies for decarbonization in the near future.

Practical design of reservoirs for rainwater use in buildings in Brazil: behavioural analysis and modelling

Abstract The new version of NBR 15527 (ABNT 2019) determines that any methodology used for the design of rainwater reservoirs must be performed considering the demand for rainwater resources. Thus, the objective of this study was to develop mathematical models for the design of rainwater reservoirs in residential buildings for all Brazilian states. Different use scenarios were simulated, which included drinking water demands of 100, 150, 200 and 300 litres per capita and rainwater replacement for drinking water at rates of 25, 35, 45 and 55%, according to rainfall data from the last decade. The optimal and maximal volumes of each scenario were calculated using the yield after spill (YAS) behavioural method. Based on the values of the volumes obtained, the studied municipalities were grouped, and for each group, the practical models were adjusted and evaluated using the coefficient of determination (R²) and the root mean square error (RMSE). A good adherence of the models to the observed data was observed, which simplified the estimation of the volume for rainwater reservoirs; practical applications demand that designs use discreet daily rainfall values.

Valorization of Wood Residues from Vegetation Suppression during Wind Energy Plant Implementation and Its Potential for Renewable Phenolic Compounds through Flash Pyrolysis: A Case Study in Northeast Brazil’s Semi-Arid Region

In the past few years, wind power has become a viable alternative in Brazil to diversify the energy mix and mitigate pollutant emissions from fossil fuels. Significant wind energy generation potential is inherent in the Brazilian Northeast state of Rio Grande do Norte, due to prevailing strong winds along the coastline and elevated regions. However, clean and renewable wind energy may lead to potential biodiversity impacts, including the removal of native vegetation during plant construction and operation. This case study explores the flash pyrolysis-based valorization of three commonly suppressed species, namely Cenostigma pyramidale (CP), Commiphora leptophloeos (CL), and Aspidosperma pyrifolium (AP), in a wind farm situated within the Mato Grande region of Rio Grande do Norte State. The study centers on determining their bioenergy-related properties and assessing their potential for producing phenolic-rich bio-oil. The investigation of three wood residues as potential sources of high-value chemicals, specifically phenolic compounds, was conducted using a micro-furnace type temperature programmable pyrolyzer combined with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py–GC/MS setup). The range of higher heating values observed for three wood residues was 17.5–18.4 MJ kg−1, with the highest value attributed to AP wood residue. The bulk density ranged from 126.5 to 268.7 kg m−3, while ash content, volatile matter content, fixed carbon content, and lignin content were within the respective ranges of 0.8–2.9 wt.%, 78.5–89.6 wt.%, 2.6–9.5 wt.%, and 19.1–30.6 wt.%. Although the energy-related properties signifying the potential value of three wood residues as energy resources are evident, their applicability in the bioenergy sector can be expanded via pelleting or briquetting. Yields of phenolic compounds exceeding 40% from the volatile pyrolysis products of CL and AP wood residues at 500 °C make them favorable for phenolic-rich bio-oil production. The findings of this study endorse the utilization of wood residues resulting from vegetation suppression during the installation of wind energy plants as potential feedstocks for producing bioenergy and sustainable phenolic compounds. This presents a solution for addressing a regional environmental concern following the principles of green chemistry.

Our Lady of the Workboats: Solidarity and Spirituality on the Bay of All Saints

At the end of Jorge Amado’s Mar Morto (1936), a sailor’s grieving widow defies a fate that seems inevitable. Instead of resigning herself to a life of precarity, she takes command of her husband’s boat. In doing so, she aligns herself with Iemanjá, a sea deity from the Afro-Brazilian religion of Candomblé. This essay takes this episode, and Amado’s novel, as its intellectual point of departure. Joining literary studies with maritime social history and nautical science, it charts the physical characteristics and cultural histories of the Baia de Todos os Santos in the Brazilian state of Bahia, which influenced Mar Morto on the level of form and theme. In the spiritually charged home waters of Amado and his characters, ocean literacy is both locally specific and diasporic: intertwined with African-descended cosmologies and ongoing struggles for sovereignty and freedom. By attending to these forms of what Justin Dunnavant (riffing on Katherine McKittrick) calls “livingness on the sea,” this essay models a maritime literary studies that recovers gendered and racialized ocean literacies and demonstrates the importance of local ways of knowing the ocean to the global literature of the sea. It is drawn from a book project tentatively titled “Atlantic Shapeshifters: Sea Literature’s Fluid Forms.”

Preliminary Study on the Chemical and Biological Properties of Propolis Extract from Stingless Bees from the Northern Region of Brazil

Natural products are historically regarded as the main sources of bioactive compounds to fight the most diverse diseases; among them, propolis deserves to be highlighted due to several biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, healing, antibacterial and antileishmanial activity. In this study, the antioxidant and antipromastigote activities and the cytotoxicity of propolis of the Scaptotrigona aff. postica stingless bee were evaluated. Propolis extract was analyzed by infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry and spectrophotometry for total polyphenols and flavonoid contents. Antioxidant activity was assessed spectrophotometrically by the DPPH, ABTS and FRAP methods, while antipromastigote activity and cytotoxicity were assessed by the MTT assay. The infrared spectra showed the characteristic bands of both phenols and alcohols. The thermogravimetry study revealed two events and thermal stability around 370 °C, while differential scanning calorimetry showed two endothermic events and an exothermic event. Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were 21.29 ± 0.003 mg/g and 8.17 ± 0.00 mg/g, respectively, and the antioxidant activities identified by the DPPH, ABTS and FRAP methods were 910.09 ± 0.0264 µM Trolox (IC50 18.9 ± 0.01 µg/mL), 859.97 ± 0.0854 µM Trolox (IC50 692 ± 0.01 µg/mL) and 1613.67 ± 0.2610 µM Trolox (IC50 80 ± 0.1 µg/mL), respectively. The satisfactory antioxidant activity of propolis can be related to the high content of phenolic compounds, which adds value to this product and can contribute to the development of meliponiculture in the Brazilian state of Pará. The propolis extract caused a toxic effect on promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis at all concentrations tested, with an IC50 value of 1.50 µg/mL and a statistically significant difference compared to the negative control (p &lt; 0.001). These results show that the propolis extract from S. postica bees may be a promising alternative for treatment against promastigote forms of L. amazonensis.

The radiation of nodulated Chamaecrista species from the rainforest into more diverse habitats has been accompanied by a reduction in growth form and a shift from fixation threads to symbiosomes.

All non-mimosoid nodulated genera in the legume subfamily Caesalpinioideae confine their rhizobial symbionts within cell wall-bound "fixation threads" (FTs). The exception is the large genus Chamaecrista in which shrubs and subshrubs house their rhizobial bacteroids more intimately within symbiosomes, whereas large trees have FTs. This study aimed to unravel the evolutionary relationships between Chamaecrista growth habit, habitat, nodule bacteroid type, and rhizobial genotype. The growth habit, bacteroid anatomy, and rhizobial symbionts of 30 nodulated Chamaecrista species native to different biomes in the Brazilian state of Bahia, a major centre of diversity for the genus, was plotted onto an ITS-TrnL-F-derived phylogeny of Chamaecrista. The bacteroids from most of the Chamaecrista species examined were enclosed in symbiosomes (SYM-type nodules), but those in arborescent species in the section Apoucouita, at the base of the genus, were enclosed in cell wall material containing homogalacturonan (HG) and cellulose (FT-type nodules). Most symbionts were Bradyrhizobium genotypes grouped according to the growth habits of their hosts, but the tree, C. eitenorum, was nodulated by Paraburkholderia. Chamaecrista has a range of growth habits that allow it to occupy several different biomes and to co-evolve with a wide range of (mainly) bradyrhizobial symbionts. FTs represent a less intimate symbiosis linked with nodulation losses, so the evolution of SYM-type nodules by most Chamaecrista species may have (a) aided the genus-wide retention of nodulation, and (b) assisted in its rapid speciation and radiation out of the rainforest into more diverse and challenging habitats.

Tailings dams’ classification based on risk using data from SIGBM

The Brumadinho and Mariana tailings dam failures in Brazil tragically highlighted the critical need for robust risk management in the mining sector. Tailings dams, by their very nature, pose significant risks to downstream communities and the environment in the event of failure. To mitigate these risks, a comprehensive risk classification system is essential. This abstract emphasizes the real-world impact of dam failures and strengthens the importance of risk classification. Risk analysis plays a central role in identifying, quantifying, and ultimately mitigating the potential consequences of tailings dam failure. The classification process considers various factors that influence dam stability and safety, including dam geometry and construction methods — the design and construction techniques employed significantly impact a dam's stability; tailings characteristics — the physical and chemical properties of the stored tailings can influence factors like liquefaction potential; operating conditions — factors like the rate of tailings deposition and the presence of seismic activity need evaluation; drainage system effectiveness — a well-functioning drainage system is crucial for managing pore pressures within the dam. By analyzing these elements, risk classification aims to categorize tailings dams into distinct risk levels, typically ranging from low to very high. This categorization allows for targeted risk mitigation strategies to be implemented based on the specific vulnerabilities of each dam. This paper proposes a methodology for risk classification of tailings dams utilizing data from the Brazilian National Mining Agency's (ANM) Integrated Mining Dam Management System (SIGBM). The study focuses on 203 dams situated in Minas Gerais, a Brazilian state with a history of dam failures. Data was extracted from SIGBM in February 2023. This research not only presents a general risk classification for the assessed dams but also delves deeper, offering a quantitative measure of vulnerability, risk potential, and potential consequences of a failure event for each individual dam.

Prevalence and Diagnostic Journey of Friedreich's Ataxia in the State of São Paulo, Brazil.

Friedreich's Ataxia (FRDA) is the leading cause of ataxia worldwide, but data on epidemiology and diagnostic journey are scarce, particularly in Latin America. Herein we estimated the prevalence of FRDA in the most populous Brazilian state and characterized the diagnostic odyssey of the disease. We received anonymized data of patients with FRDA from advocacy groups and physicians. Prevalence was estimated dividing the number of patients by the population of the state as reported in the last census. Patients were invited to answer an online survey to describe clinical data and diagnostic journey of the disease. FRDA estimated prevalence was 0.367:100,000, with a slight predominance of women (58.2% vs 41.7%). One hundred and four patients answered the survey (mean age of 37.3 ± 13.8years; 75.9% classical and 24.0% late onset). On average, 6.2 ± 4.1 physicians were visited before reaching the diagnosis. Mean diagnostic delay was 7.8 ± 6.7years; no difference between classical and LOFA groups was found. Most of the patients reported unsteadiness and gait abnormalities as the first symptom. Neurologists and orthopedical surgeons were the main specialties first sought by patients. We found a prevalence of 0.36:100,000 for FRDA in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The disease is characterized by remarkable diagnostic delay, with no relevant differences between classical and LOFA patients.

Vulnerability Index to COVID-19 for Brazilian States

This present article brings a vulnerability index to COVID-19 for Brazilian states. The COVID-19 pandemic is the largest since the great flu of 1918, and Brazil, which already has major supply limitations in health provision, is experiencing additional stress on the health system caused by the excess demand caused by the pandemic. Thus, this index is composed of a weighted average of state indicators, which are human development index (HDI), net current revenue per capita, health expenditure per capita, percentage of households with more than six residents, percentage of elderly population, access to basic sanitation, total population, the number of ICUs and the number of doctors and respirators per hundred thousand inhabitants. The results indicate that the states best placed in the vulnerability ranking are the Federal District and São Paulo, while the states with the worst ranking are Alagoas and Amapá. In the medium term, there is an association between the number of accumulated cases and the hospital vulnerability index. The same association exists, although at a lower level, between the hospital vulnerability index and the number of deaths per capita.