"Avoidable" causes of death in Sweden 1974-85

Mortality from potentially avoidable causes of death in Sweden 1974-85 for ages 0-64 years was analysed, based on a list published by Rutstein et al., [N Engl J Med 294: 582, 1976] of conditions that were suggested to serve as negative indicators of the quality of health care. In females 22% of deaths and in males 18% of deaths had underlying causes that were included in the list. Deaths from avoidable causes in the Rutstein list were concentrated to a limited number of causes of death and cause of death groups, such as neoplasms and diseases of the respiratory system. Both preventable and treatable conditions were found among the most common avoidable causes of death. There were differences in the causes of death that were most common between different age groups. A large number of the avoidable causes of death were relatively rare in Sweden. Areas for continued methodological development are suggested concerning the choice of avoidable causes of death and the definition of standards.