Avoidable mortality in Lithuania: 1991-199 compared with 1970-1990.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Health Policy

Background:

• Avoidable mortality, defined as deaths amenable to medical treatment or preventive measures, is a key indicator of healthcare system performance and public health.
• Lithuania experienced significant socio-economic changes during the study period, potentially impacting health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess changes in avoidable mortality in Lithuania from 1970-1990 to 1991-1999.
• To analyze trends in mortality amenable to treatment versus prevention.
• To identify specific causes contributing to changes in avoidable mortality.

Main Methods:

• Causes of death were categorized as amenable to treatment or prevention.
• Age-standardized death rates were calculated for two periods: 1970-1990 and 1991-1999.
• Trends were analyzed, with specific attention to gender differences and fluctuations during the 1990s.

Main Results:

• Avoidable mortality decreased from 26.3% to 24.6% of all deaths.
• Age-standardized death rates from avoidable causes increased by 8% (118.1 to 127.9 per 100,000).
• Mortality rates fluctuated, with increases in tuberculosis, cervical cancer, liver cirrhosis, and hypertensive/cerebrovascular diseases, while deaths from chronic rheumatic heart disease, asthma, and maternal mortality declined.

Conclusions:

• Avoidable mortality as a proportion of total mortality declined, reflecting some success in healthcare.
• The rise in age-standardized death rates indicates challenges in addressing major health determinants.
• There is a clear need for more effective public health policies to reduce avoidable mortality in Lithuania.