Izvorni znanstveni članak
https://doi.org/10.3325/cmj.2018.59.118
Mortality patterns in Southern Adriatic islands of Croatia: a registry-based study
Joshua Rehberg
; 1Medical student, Medical SchoolMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukee, WI, USA
Ana Stipčić
orcid.org/0000-0002-4153-9825
; University of Split, Split, CroatiaDepartment of Health Studies,
Tanja Ćorić
; Croatian National Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivana Kolčić
orcid.org/0000-0001-7918-6052
; Department of Public Health, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
Ozren Polašek
orcid.org/0000-0002-5765-1862
; Department of Public Health, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
Sažetak
Aim To investigate the mortality patterns on the Southern
Adriatic islands of Croatia and compare them with those in
two, mainly coastal, mainland counties.
Methods In this registry-based study we used the official
mortality register data to analyze the mortality patterns on
seven Croatian islands (Brač, Hvar, Korčula, Lastovo, Mljet,
Šolta, and Vis) and Pelješac peninsula in the 1998-2013 period
and calculated the average lifespan, life expectancy,
and standardized mortality ratios (SMR). We compared the
leading causes of death with those in the mainland population
of two southernmost Croatian counties.
Results The average lifespan of the island population was
3-10 years longer for men and 2-7 years longer for women
than that on the mainland. All-cause SMRs were significantly
lower for both men and women on Korčula, Brač,
Mljet, and Pelješac but significantly higher for women on
Šolta (1.22; 95% confidence intervals 1.07-1.38). The leading
causes of death on the islands were cardiovascular diseases,
with higher percentages in men and lower in women
in comparison with those on the mainland. There were
no substantial differences in the life expectancy at birth.
Conclusions Despite longer lifespan, lack of differences
in life expectancy at birth suggests that the recent generations
of islanders no longer show beneficial mortality
patterns, possibly due to diminishing adherence to the
Mediterranean diet and lifestyle. Restoring the traditional
lifestyles is a public health priority, with the ultimate aim
of reducing inequalities and improving the health of island
inhabitants.
Ključne riječi
Hrčak ID:
237474
URI
Datum izdavanja:
15.6.2018.
Posjeta: 1.025 *