[Lost years of potential capacity: mortality in Puerto Rico, 1986]

This article uses the indicator "Years of Potential Life Lost" (YPLL) to rank the major causes of premature death in Puerto Rico. This highlights the importance of accidents. When the YPLL computed for 1986 are compared to those for 1977, we can detect reductions in premature mortality due to cerebrovascular diseases and arteriosclerosis, and marked increases due to diabetes, homicides, and pneumonias and influenzas. The latter three causes are highly associated with lifestyles; the prevention of premature mortality in Puerto Rico therefore requires behavioral changes and environmental measures to reduce the risk factors linked with the etiology of these conditions.