title: Age-related mortality trends in Italy from 1901 to 2008.
abstract: We stratified the Italian population according to age and gender in order to evaluate mortality trends over more than one century. Data covering the 1901-2008 period were used to study the yearly variations in mortality. Fluctuations in age-adjusted mortality curves were analyzed by Join Point Regression Models, identifying Join Points and Annual Percent Changes. A consistent decline in all-cause mortality occurred across the whole period, the most striking variations being observed in the 0-49 years population. In 1901, other and undefined diseases were the main causes of death, followed by infectious, digestive, and respiratory diseases in the 0-49 years population and by respiratory, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular diseases in the ≥ 50 years population groups. In 2008 the main causes of death were accidents (males) and tumors (females) in the 0-49 age class, tumors in the 50-69 age class (both genders), and tumors (males) and cardiovascular diseases (females) in the elderly. The results highlight the interplay between age and gender in affecting mortality trends and reflect the dramatic progress in nutritional, lifestyle, socioeconomic, medical, and hygienic conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vercelli
authors.affiliation: Descriptive Epidemiology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino - Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro (IST), Genoa, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lillini
authors.affiliation: Descriptive Epidemiology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino - Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro (IST), Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Quaglia
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosanna T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Micale
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Sebastiano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: La Maestra
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Flora
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002423:Cause of Death; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality / Q000266:history* / Q000639:trends*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult