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[Lost years of potential capacity: mortality in Puerto Rico, 1986]
Boletin De La Asociacion Medica De Puerto Rico
|December 1, 1989
Summary
Accidents are a major cause of premature death in Puerto Rico, measured by Years of Potential Life Lost (YPLL). Lifestyle-related conditions like diabetes and homicide show increasing mortality, necessitating behavioral and environmental changes.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Mortality Statistics
Context:
- Analysis of premature mortality trends in Puerto Rico between 1977 and 1986.
- Utilizes the Years of Potential Life Lost (YPLL) indicator for ranking causes of death.
- Identifies shifts in leading causes of premature death over a decade.
Purpose:
- To rank major causes of premature death in Puerto Rico using YPLL.
- To compare mortality trends from 1977 to 1986.
- To identify specific causes of death with increasing mortality rates.
Summary:
- Accidents emerge as a significant cause of premature death.
- Reductions in mortality from cerebrovascular diseases and arteriosclerosis were observed.
- Increases in YPLL were noted for diabetes, homicides, pneumonias, and influenzas.
- These latter causes are strongly linked to lifestyle factors.
Impact:
- Highlights the critical role of accidents in premature mortality.
- Underscores the need for behavioral modifications and environmental interventions to address lifestyle-associated diseases.
- Provides data for targeted public health strategies in Puerto Rico to reduce premature death.