[Life expectancy and "premature mortality" in the Democratic Republic of Germany. An analysis from the surgical viewpoint]

An analysis was made of medical statistics on life and death, over the past decades, with reference being made to some key data of the national economy. The period under review had largely been a phase of stagnation, though progress was recordable by substantial criteria in some important areas of surgery, despite restrictions on finding, equipment, and personnel. This analysis, hopefully, will be helpful in proper appraisal of public health performance in the period under review. An additional analysis will have to show, if life expectancy and premature mortality, the two parameters analysed in this study, can be improved, in the future, solely by amendments to the organisational setup, financing, and strategy of the national health system.