Understanding Premature Mortality Patterns from Non– Communicable Diseases in Iran (2012-2020)

Batoul Rabbani; Elaheh Kazemi; Amin Ataey; Elham Rashidian; Ardeshir Khosravi

doi:10.18502/jbe.v11i1.19317

Batoul Rabbani Deputy for Health, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran.
Elaheh Kazemi Deputy for Health, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran.
Amin Ataey Deputy for Health, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran.
Elham Rashidian Deputy for Health, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran.
Ardeshir Khosravi Health Equity Research Center, Tehran University of Medical, Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jbe.v11i1.19317

Keywords: Mortality; Non-communicable diseases; Premature death; Mixed effect model; Iran

Abstract

Introduction: More than 85% of premature deaths from major non-communicable diseases (NCDs) occur in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to investigate trends of premature deaths (30-70 years) due to the noncommunicable diseases in Iran, from 2012 to 2020.

Methods: The present study is a descriptive study. Data on the causes of death from 2012 to 2020 were extracted from the death registration system of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, and the data is not based on sampling. After calculating the completeness of the death registration system using the method proposed by Lopez and Adair, the probability of premature deaths due to noncommunicable diseases was determined.

Results: From 2012 to 2020, non-communicable diseases accounted for a significant percentage of all deaths, ranging from approximately 54% to 72%. Premature deaths due to these diseases varied between 50% and 71% during the study period. The probability of premature deaths due to these diseases fluctuated between 14.95% and 17.35%.

Conclusion: With the knowledge that the most common cause of premature death in women is non-communicable disease and the most common cause in the general population is cardiovascular disease, evidence-based planning and policymaking should be done to achieve further reductions in premature mortality, with an approach to be adopted in a unified way by focusing on modifiable risk factors in different sectors and disciplines in Iran.