Trends in cardiovascular diseases mortality in the Philippines

Cardiovascular disease mortality in the Philippines was studied from the existing vital statistics for 1963-76. Death rates from rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease remained unchanged, those for cerebrovascular diseases decreased, whereas mortality rates of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and hypertensive disease (HPN) increased enormously both in men and women. This increase in IHD and HPN mortality was seen in all age groups. The age-standardized IHD mortality rate in men rose from 33.3 in 1964 to 78.0 in 1976, and that of women from 15.4 to 34.5. The age-standardized HPN mortality rate in men rose from 21.0 in 1964 to 45.6 in 1976, and that of women from 15.6 to 25.5. The male to female ratios in the age-standardized death rates for IHD, HPN and also for all causes increased during this 12-year period. Age-standardized all causes mortality increased clearly in the male population but decreased in the female population of the Philippines. This excess mortality in males is mostly due to the increased cardiovascular disease death rate. This is a clear example of how chronic non-communicable diseases are becoming major health problems in countries where they previously have not been prevalent. Immediate preventive measures are needed in order to control cardiovascular diseases in these countries where disease rates are rapidly increasing.     

Inequality in health: socioeconomic differentials in mortality in Rome, 1990-95

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Population groups with a lower socioeconomic status (SES) have a greater risk of disease and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between SES and mortality in the metropolitan area of Rome during the six year period 1990-1995, and to examine variations in mortality differentials between 1990-92 and 1993-95. DESIGN: Rome has a population of approximately 2,800,000, with 6100 census tracts (CTs). During the study period, 149,002 deaths occurred among residents. The cause-specific mortality rates were compared among four socioeconomic categories defined by a socioeconomic index, derived from characteristics of the CT of residence. MAIN RESULTS: Among men, total mortality and mortality for the major causes of death showed an inverse association with SES. Among 15-44 year old men, the strong positive association between total mortality and low SES was attributable to AIDS and overdose mortality. Among women, a positive association with lower SES was observed for stomach cancer, uterus cancer and cardiovascular disease, whereas mortality for lung and breast cancers was higher in the groups with higher SES. Comparing the periods 1990-92 and 1993-95, differences in total mortality between socioeconomic groups widened in both sexes. Increasing differences were observed for tuberculosis and lung cancer among men, and for uterus cancer, traffic accidents, and overdose mortality among women. CONCLUSIONS: The use of an area-based indicator of SES limits the interpretations of the findings. However, despite the possible limitations, these results suggest that social class differences in mortality in Rome are increasing. Time changes in lifestyle and in the prevalence of risk behaviours may produce differences in disease incidence. Moreover, inequalities in the access to medical care and in the quality of care may contribute to an increasing differentials in mortality.     

Influence of individual and neighbourhood socioeconomic status on mortality among black,Mexican-American,and white women and men in the United States

STUDY OBJECTIVE:s: This study examines the influence of individual and neighbourhood socioeconomic status (SES) on mortality among black, Mexican-American, and white women and men in the US. The authors had three study objectives. Firstly, they examined mortality rates by both individual level SES (measured by income, education, and occupational/employment status) and neighbourhood level SES (index of neighbourhood income/wealth, educational attainment, occupational status, and employment status). Secondly, they examined whether neighbourhood SES was associated with mortality after controlling for individual SES. Thirdly, they calculated the population attributable risk to estimate the reduction in mortality rates if all women and men lived in the highest SES neighbourhoods. DESIGN: National Health Interview Survey (1987-1994), linked with 1990 census tract (neighbourhood proxy) and mortality data through 1997. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Nationally representative sample of 59 935 black, 19 201 Mexican-American, and 344 432 white men and women (six gender and racial/ethnic groups), aged 25-64 at interview. MAIN RESULTS: Mortality rates for all six gender and racial/ethnic groups were two to four times higher for those with the lowest incomes (lowest quartile) who lived in the lowest SES neighbourhoods (lowest tertile) compared with those with the highest incomes who lived in the highest SES neighbourhoods. For the six groups, the age adjusted mortality risk associated with living in the lowest SES neighbourhoods ranged from 1.43 to 1.61. The mortality risk decreased but remained significant (p values <.05) after adjusting for each of the three individual measures of SES, with the exception of Mexican-American women. Furthermore, the mortality risk associated with living in the lowest SES neighbourhoods remained significant after simultaneously adjusting for all three individual measures of SES for white men (p<0.001) and white women (p<0.05). Deaths would hypothetically be reduced by about 20% for each subgroup if everyone had the same death rates as those living in the highest SES neighbourhoods (highest tertile). CONCLUSIONS: Living in a low SES neighbourhood confers additional mortality risk beyond individual SES.     

新疆生产建设兵团2008-2012年居民死因分析

目的 了解新疆生产建设兵团(兵团)居民死因状况及主要死因造成的寿命损失情况,为制定有效的预防干预措施提供科学依据.方法 利用兵团2008-2012年8个师部死因监测系统上报的数据和公安部门提供的人口资料,采用ICD-10进行死因分类,使用Excel 2010和SAS 9.2软件进行数据整理和统计分析,计算死亡率、潜在寿命损失年(potential years of life lost,PYLL)和减寿率等指标.结果 兵团2008-2012年居民粗死亡率为508.67/10万,男性624.01/10万,女性383.14/10万,男性粗死亡率高于女性;0～岁组和15～岁组的5年标化死亡率呈下降趋势,45～岁组和≥65岁组的标化死亡率呈上升趋势;损伤与中毒占0～岁组和15～岁组死亡人数的构成比为24.19％和30.48％,循环系统疾病占45～岁组和≥65岁组死亡人数的构成比为36.68％和47.20％;按标化潜在寿命损失年(standard potential years of life lost,SPYLL)排序前5位死因依次是损伤与中毒、循环系统疾病、恶性肿瘤、呼吸系统疾病和消化系统疾病.结论 损伤与中毒和慢性非传染性疾病已经成为严重威胁兵团居民健康的公共卫生问题,应有针对性的开展健康教育与健康促进等措施,降低损伤与中毒和慢性非传染性疾病对居民健康的威胁.     

Non-communicable disease mortality rates using the verbal autopsy in a cohort of middle aged and older populations in Beirut during wartime, 1983-93

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Health priorities in middle to low income countries, such as Lebanon, have traditionally been assumed to follow those of a "typical" developing country, with a focus on the young and on communicable diseases. This study was carried out to quantify the magnitude of communicable and non-communicable disease mortality and to examine mortality pattern among middle aged and older populations in an urban setting in Lebanon. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: A representative cohort of 1567 men and women (>/=50 years) who had participated in a cross sectional multi-dimensional health survey in Beirut, Lebanon in 1983 and were followed up 10 years later. Vital status was ascertained and causes of death were obtained through verbal autopsy. RESULTS: Total mortality rates were estimated at 33.7 and 25.2/1000 person years among men and women respectively. In both sexes, the leading causes of death were non-communicable, mainly circulatory diseases (60%) and cancer (15%). For all cause mortality, men had significantly higher risk than women (age adjusted rate ratio, RR=1.42, 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 1.16, 1.72) especially at younger ages. Except for cerebrovascular diseases, renal problems and injuries attributable to falls and fractures, men were also at higher cause specific mortality risk than women, in particular, for ischaemic heart disease (RR = 2.24, 95% CI = 1.62, 3.12). Comparison with earlier death certificate data in Lebanon and current estimates from other regions in the world showed the magnitude of cardiovascular disease over time. CONCLUSIONS: The results from this first cohort study in the Arab region show, in contrast with popular perception, a mortality pattern more like a developed country than a developing one. Strategies of public health activities, in particular for countries in transition, need to be continuously re-assessed in light of empirical epidemiological data and other health indicators for evidence-based decision making.     

Socioeconomic differences in mortality in Rome, 1990-1995

Population groups with a lower socioeconomic status (SES) have a greater risk of disease and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between SES and mortality in the metropolitan area of Rome during the six-year period 1990-1995, and to examine variations in mortality differentials between 1990-92 and 1993-95. Rome has a population of approximately 2,800,000, with 6,100 census tracts (CTs). During the study period, 149,002 deaths occurred among residents. We compared cause-specific mortality rates among four socioeconomic categories (SES) defined by a socioeconomic index, derived from characteristics of the CT of residence. Among men, total mortality and mortality for the major causes of death showed an inverse association with SES. Among 15-44 year old men, the strong positive association between total mortality and low SES was due to AIDS and overdose mortality. Among women, a positive association with lower SES was observed for stomach cancer, uterus cancer and cardiovascular disease, whereas mortality for breast cancer was higher in the groups with higher SES. Comparing the periods 1990-92 and 1993-95, differences in total mortality between socioeconomic groups widened in both sexes. Increasing differences were observed for tuberculosis and lung cancer among men, and for uterus cancer, traffic accidents, and overdose mortality among women. The use of an area-based indicator of SES limits the interpretations of the findings. However, despite the possible limitations, these results suggest that social class differences in mortality in Rome are increasing. Time changes in life style and in the prevalence of risk behaviors may produce differences in disease incidence. Moreover inequalities in the access to medical care and in the quality of care may contribute to an increasing differentials in mortality.     

2010 - 2015年淮安市30～69岁居民主要慢性病死亡状况及变化趋势分析

目的 了解淮安市30～69岁居民主要慢性病死亡情况,为制定防治对策和有效干预措施提供依据。方法 采用粗死亡率、标化死亡率、不同性别及年龄别死亡率、早死概率对淮安市2010 - 2015年30～69岁居民主要慢性病死亡资料进行分析。结果 2010 - 2015年淮安市30～69岁居民主要慢性病年均死亡率301.24/10万,标化死亡率为243.35/10万,全人群和女性粗死亡率呈上升趋势,死亡率年度变化百分比（APC）分别为1.81%、1.51%;男性粗死亡率高于女性（χ2 = 3 912.291,P＜0.001）;主要慢性病死亡顺位为肿瘤、脑血管疾病、心血管疾病、慢性呼吸系统疾病、糖尿病,其中肿瘤（APC = 3.95%）、慢性呼吸系统疾病（APC = 6.01%）、糖尿病（APC = 13.39%）呈上升趋势,脑血管疾病（APC = - 3.47%）呈下降趋势;不同年龄别肿瘤死亡率占比均在50%以上;早死概率在14%左右,年度变化呈下降趋势,但差异无统计学意义。结论 30～69岁淮安市居民主要慢性病死亡率仍呈上升趋势,男性死亡率高于女性,肿瘤已成首位死因,早死概率控制速度较为缓慢,与实现“健康江苏2030”的目标还有一定差距。     

Socioeconomic correlates of mortality differentials by local government area in rural northern New South Wales, 1981-1995

OBJECTIVE: Many studies have examined the correlation between socioeconomic status (SES) and mortality in Australia, but little is known about the correlation in rural areas and most studies have not explored the trends in SES differentials in mortality. This ecological study examines this correlation and explores the impact of the national strategies to reduce SES differentials in mortality in a rural area. METHODS: Mortality data for residents in the New England Health Area, New South Wales (NSW), 1981 to 1995, were analysed. Twenty Local Government Areas (LGAs) in New England were ranked and aggregated into 4 groups according to a composite SES indicator from the 1996 census, and age/sex adjusted mortality rates were calculated for each group and compared. Poisson regression models were used to assess the linear trends in mortality for 1981-95. RESULTS: A strong relationship between working age adult mortality and SES was found for both sexes. The rates for the most disadvantaged LGAs were significantly higher than the least disadvantaged LGAs for both sexes. The mortality rate was consistently higher for the most disadvantaged LGAs than the least disadvantaged LGAs. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATION: Although there has been an overall decline in death for all 4 groups of LGAs, the gap between the most disadvantaged and the least disadvantaged groups has widened over the last 15 years. This widening gap in death rates suggests that the strategies implemented as part of the Health for All initiative to reduce inequalities in mortality differentials have not been effective in this rural area.     

Trends in mortality from major non-communicable diseases in the middle-aged population of Malta

Trends in life expectancy and mortality from major non-communicable diseases in Malta were analyzed from the national vital statistics available. Most of the increased life expectancy during the 20th century in Malta took place between 1930 and 1960 and since then only a minor increase was observed. The peak in age standardized total mortality in men and women aged 40-69 years was during 1974-76. Total mortality in men was about 40% higher than that of women. The proportion of deaths from major non-communicable diseases (cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes) of all deaths increased during 1968-82. In 1983-84 in the age group 45-64 cardiovascular diseases accounted for 54% of deaths in men and 43% in women, cancer 27% and 34%, and diabetes 3% and 11% in men and women, respectively. The international comparison of mortality data showed that mortality from both cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes was clearly higher than in other European Mediterranean countries ranking among the highest in the whole Europe. Public health intervention programmes have initiated in Malta to reduce these high death rates in the future.     

Weight at birth and all-cause mortality in adulthood

BACKGROUND: Small size at birth is associated with subsequent cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and large size is associated with obesity and cancer. The overall impact of these opposing effects on mortality throughout the lifespan is unclear because causes of death change with age. METHODS: We investigated the association of birth weight with adult all-cause mortality using a Danish school-based cohort of 216,464 men and women born from 1936 through 1979. The cohort was linked to vital statistic registers. The main outcome was all-cause mortality from ages 25 through 68 years. Associations with death from cancer, circulatory disease, and all other causes were also examined. RESULTS: During 5,205,477 person-years of follow-up, 11,149 deaths occurred among men and 6609 among women. The cumulative hazard ratios of the association between birth weight categories and all-cause mortality was constant for all ages investigated and did not differ between men and women. Compared with subjects having birth weights in the reference category (3251-3750 g), those with the lowest birth weights (2000-2750 g) had 17% higher mortality (95% confidence interval = 1.11-1.22), and those with the highest birth weights (4251-5500 g) had 7% higher mortality (1.01-1.15) from all causes. The association of birth weight with cancer increased linearly, whereas the association of birth weight with circulatory disease and all other causes was U-shaped. CONCLUSIONS: To the degree that the association of birth weight with adult survival is causal, the U-shaped association between birth weight and adult mortality suggests that population increases in birth weight may not necessarily lead to improved health in adulthood.