OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between the pre-hospital components of the National Policy of Urgency Care (NPUC), the Family Health Strategy (FHS) and the Mobile Urgent Care Service (MUCS) and morbidity and mortality indicators of Stroke and MI in the elderly population of selected municipalities of the Minas Gerais State. METHODS: An ecological longitudinal study was performed. Data analysis was made using a set of multilevel regression models. Health indicators were analized from 2001 to 2007. RESULTS: Statistically significant associations were found between the FHS, the MUCS presence and mortality indicators of Stroke and MI, for both genders with the exception of male MI. Regarding the hospitalization rates, the most consistent effects were found for female MI. CONCLUSION: Heterogeneity of the results points to an incipient stage of the NPUC, which does not allow observation of evident effects. This might also suggest that this Policy has still not been able to achieve its goals with respect to the elderly. Continuity of the evaluation processes of the NPUC is essential to establish strategies to improve effectiveness.
Stroke; Myocardial Infarction; Prehospital Care; Aged
