Cardiovascular mortality in New Zealand and Australia 1968-1983: how can the diverging trends be explained?
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Cardiovascular disease mortality declined faster in Australia than New Zealand between 1968-1983. By 1983, New Zealand had higher death rates, with cardiovascular disease driving most of the decline in both nations.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) cause nearly 50% of deaths in Australia and New Zealand.
- Significant disparities in CVD mortality rates existed between Australia and New Zealand in 1968.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare trends in cardiovascular disease mortality rates between Australia and New Zealand from 1968 to 1983.
- To analyze the contribution of CVD mortality decline to overall mortality decline in both countries.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of national mortality data for Australia and New Zealand.
- Examination of death rates for all causes, all cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, and cerebrovascular disease.
Main Results:
- Mortality rates declined in both countries between 1968 and 1983, with a significantly greater decline in Australia.
- By 1983, New Zealand exhibited higher mortality rates across all studied categories compared to Australia.
- CVD mortality decline accounted for approximately 90% of the overall mortality decline in New Zealand and 70% in Australia.
Conclusions:
- Australia experienced more rapid improvements in cardiovascular disease outcomes and life expectancy than New Zealand during the study period.
- Further research is needed to identify the specific factors, including lifestyle and medical practices, driving these differential trends.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular diseases are responsible for almost 50% of all deaths in New Zealand and Australia. In 1968 death rates were higher in Australia than in New Zealand for all causes of death, all cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease. Over the period 1968-1983 death rates declined in both countries but at a significantly greater rate in Australia. By 1983 death rates for all categories were higher in New Zealand than Australia. The decline in cardiovascular disease accounted for approximately 90% and 70% of the decline in all causes of death in New Zealand and Australia respectively. Life expectancy has increased more rapidly for Australian middle aged men and women. From the limited cardiovascular morbidity and risk factor data available, it is not possible to identify the reasons for the differential rates of improvements in the two countries. Both nations require comprehensive and complementary studies which monitor changes in health practices such as diet, smoking and exercise, as well as surveys that allow differences in the patterns of medical and surgical practices to be determined.