The contribution of avoidable mortality to life expectancy differences and lifespan disparities in the European Union: a population-based study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Twenty years after the 2004 European Union (EU) enlargement, life expectancy differences between established (EMS) and new member states (NMS) remain large. Contributing to this gap are deaths that can be avoided through preventive services or adequate medical treatment. We estimate the impact of reducing avoidable mortality on life expectancy and lifespan disparities in the enlarged EU.

Methods

Using World Health Organization mortality database data, we analysed the potential of reducing avoidable mortality, as defined by Eurostat and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, to close the mortality gap between NMS and EMS. We decomposed the changes in life expectancy and lifespan disparity by age and cause using linear integral decomposition.

SUBMITTER: Hrzic R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11402299 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature