[Effect of avoidable and non-avoidable deaths on life expectancy in Mexico, 1998-2000 and 2008-2010].
OBJECTIVE
Estimate the changes in life expectancy related to avoidable and nonavoidable deaths in Mexico between the three-year periods from 1998-2000 and 2008-2010 by sex and age group.


METHODS
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. Data from official sources on deaths recorded from 0-74 years of age and population estimates (Mexican and worldwide) for the three-year periods from 1998-2000 and 2008-2010 was used. The crude and standardized death rates and years of life expectancy lost in the periods studied were calculated. Estimates were made of the effect of avoidable and non-avoidable deaths on life expectancy from 0-74 years of age, using the Arriaga method, and temporary life expectancy by age group.


RESULTS
Mortality due to avoidable causes increased by 2.1% whereas mortality related to non-avoidable causes decreased by 2.3%, with differences according to sex. Life expectancy at birth was 74.2 years in the three-year period from 1998-2000 and 75.1 years in the three-year period from 2008-2010. Temporary life expectancy from 0-74 years of age remained nearly the same at about 68.6 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Years of life expectancy can be gained through actions that promote health and disease prevention, mainly by reducing deaths due to avoidable causes. Cross-sectional population-based interventions and strategies should be developed, focusing on specific subgroups, from a gender and generational perspective, and adjusted for the specific geographical, socioeconomic, and cultural features of the target population.
Departamento de Epidemiología Clínica, Instituto Nacional de Geriatría, México, D.F, México.
Marcela
M
Agudelo-Botero
Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales, México, D.F, México, claudio.davila@flacso.edu.mx.
Claudio Alberto
CA
Dávila-Cervantes
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002423:Cause of Death; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D008875:Middle Aged; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult