Who dies of what? A comparative analysis of mortality conditions in developed countries around 1987

The developed countries are often viewed as being relatively homogeneous in terms of health conditions. This is not the case, however. Whilst the overall level of life expectancy in these countries (73.7 years) is well in excess of that observed in the majority of developing countries, there are nonetheless very substantial differences in health status among and between the developed countries. Female life expectancy is typically 6-8 years longer than that of males. The gap in life expectancy between Japan and some countries of Northern Europe, on the one hand, and the nations of Eastern Europe on the other, is of the same order of magnitude. Of the 11 million deaths reported in the developed countries each year, roughly 5.5 million or almost exactly 50% are attributable to cardiovascular diseases. Of these deaths, 2.4 million are coded to ischaemic heart disease and 1.5 million to stroke (cerebrovascular disease). Cancer (all forms) accounts for 2.3 million deaths (21%), 500,000 of which are due to lung cancer alone. External causes of death claim 750,000 lives each year in the developed countries, with suicide and motor-vehicle accidents each accounting for around 180,000 deaths. This pattern of mortality, when viewed in conjunction with the epidemiological evidence about the principal risk factors associated with these causes of death, strongly suggests that national health-for-all strategies must continue to emphasize individual health consciousness as the primary means of achieving national health goals.