title: Cardiovascular mortality in New Zealand and Australia 1968-1983: how can the diverging trends be explained?
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.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Beaglehole
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bonita
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stewart
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000401:mortality*; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000401:mortality; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality; D009520:New Zealand