Trends in elderly mortality in the Nordic countries

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Demography

Background:

• Examining elderly mortality trends in Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden) over the 21st century.
• Analyzing long-term and recent mortality patterns using life table statistics and annual mortality rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development of elderly mortality in the Nordic region.
• To investigate factors influencing recent fluctuations and variations in mortality rates.

Main Methods:

• Utilized vital statistics for long-term mortality trends.
• Employed World Health Organization (WHO) mortality data bank files for annual trends (post-1950s).
• Classified causes of death to analyze recent mortality patterns.

Main Results:

• Observed significant improvements in elderly survival across Nordic countries.
• Noted recent elderly mortality rate fluctuations, mirroring trends in younger age groups.
• Identified Finland with the greatest recent improvement, and Norway/Sweden with the least, suggesting a potential biological limit.
• Highlighted recent advancements in Iceland despite already low mortality levels.
• Suggested external factors (living conditions, lifestyle) may explain inter-country differences and recent trends.

Conclusions:

• While elderly survival has improved, recent fluctuations indicate potential influences beyond traditional demographic factors.
• Further research is needed on detailed causes of death and sociodemographic differentials within elderly populations.
• External factors related to lifestyle and living conditions likely play a significant role in elderly mortality trends in the Nordic region.