Related Experiment Videos
Avoidable mortality in Europe (1980-1997): a comparison of trends
H F Treurniet1, H C Boshuizen, P P M Harteloh
1Department for Public Health Forecasting, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, Netherlands. henriette.treurniet@rivm.nl
Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
|March 18, 2004
Summary
International variations in avoidable mortality showed declines across most European countries between 1980-1997. However, trends varied significantly by cause, necessitating updated monitoring of healthcare effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Health Services Research
Background:
- International variations in avoidable mortality trends are crucial for understanding healthcare system performance.
- Analyzing trends in both avoidable and non-avoidable mortality provides insights into public health challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze international variations and trends in avoidable mortality between 1980 and 1997.
- To compare trends in avoidable mortality with non-avoidable mortality across European countries.
Main Methods:
- A multilevel model was employed to study mortality trends.
- Data from 17 European countries (EU-15, Czech Republic, Hungary) were analyzed.
- Nineteen avoidable causes of death in individuals aged 0-64 years were examined using WHO and Health for All databases.
Main Results:
- Avoidable mortality declined from 1980-1997 in most countries, excluding Hungary.
- The difference between avoidable and non-avoidable mortality trends was small and decreased over time.
- Significant international variations were observed, particularly in causes amenable to prevention, with some countries deviating from the mean trend.
Conclusions:
- The diminishing difference between avoidable and non-avoidable mortality may be due to unfavorable trends in some major avoidable causes or the inclusion of 'avoidable' causes in the non-avoidable category.
- Updating Rutstein's lists of avoidable outcomes is recommended for effective monitoring of healthcare.
- Further research is needed to investigate unfavorable mortality trends in specific countries.