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Changing mortality patterns in Nauruans: an example of epidemiological transition
M Schooneveldt1, T Songer, P Zimmet
1WHO Collaborating Centre for the Epidemiology of Diabetes Mellitus, Lions International Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
|March 1, 1988
Summary
Nauruans face extremely high mortality rates, with diabetes mellitus being a major cause of death, particularly when accidents are excluded. These trends mirror developed nations due to societal modernization and non-communicable diseases.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Nauru, a Micronesian island, has experienced significant societal modernization due to phosphate mining affluence.
- This modernization has led to a shift towards non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as major public health concerns.
- Previous studies indicated high mortality associated with diabetes mellitus in the Nauruan population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze mortality data in Nauru for the years 1982-1985.
- To identify the primary causes of death among the Nauruan population aged 15 years and over.
- To compare Nauru's mortality rates with those of developed countries like Australia.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of mortality data from 1982 to 1985 for Nauruans aged 15 and over.
- Categorization of causes of death for males and females.
- Comparison of mortality rates across different age groups with Australian data.
Main Results:
- Circulatory disorders, accidents, and diabetes mellitus were leading causes of death for males.
- Neoplasms, circulatory disorders, and diabetes mellitus were leading causes of death for females.
- Mortality rates in Nauru were at least five times higher than in Australia across most age groups; diabetes was implicated in 59.4% of non-accident deaths.
Conclusions:
- Diabetes mellitus is a significant contributor to high mortality in Nauru.
- Nauru's mortality trends, characterized by NCDs, now resemble those of developed societies.
- Low life expectancy in Nauru (39.5 years for men, 48.5 for women) highlights critical public health challenges.