| Trends in elderly mortality in the Nordic countries. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 3502918 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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This study describes the development of elderly mortality in the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) during this century. Long-term trends in total mortality are examined on the basis of life table statistics. More recent trends (from the 1950s onwards) are described by means of annual mortality rates according to a rough classification of causes of death. The series of vital statistics have been utilized as the data source for the long-term trends, and the original data for annual trends have been obtained from the mortality data bank files of the WHO. Marked improvements were observed in survival at advanced ages in the Nordic countries. However, the development has not been stable as in recent decades the elderly mortality rate has fluctuated, roughly comparable to the fluctuations in mortality among the younger age groups. The fact that the rate of recent improvement has been greatest in Finland where there, traditionally, is a high mortality level, and low in Norway and Sweden, where mortality levels are low, is in accordance with the idea of approaching a certain biological lower limit to mortality. However, certain characteristics seem to suggest that further advances are possible. Marked improvements have taken place recently in Iceland even though its mortality level at the end of the 1960s was already low. In addition, a large proportion of the differences in mortality rates between the Nordic countries may be due to external factors related to living conditions or life-style. Recent trends in mortality from several causes of death may also be primarily linked to such factors. Further research focusing particularly on a more detailed classification of causes of death and sociodemographic differentials within the national elderly populations is suggested. |
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Authors:
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T Martelin |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Comprehensive gerontology. Section C, Interdisciplinary topics Volume: 1 ISSN: 0902-0098 ISO Abbreviation: Compr Gerontol C Publication Date: 1987 Dec |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 1988-11-08 Completed Date: 1988-11-08 Revised Date: 2009-06-04 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 8809131 Medline TA: Compr Gerontol C Country: DENMARK |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 39-48 Citation Subset: IM; J |
Affiliation:
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University of Helsinki, Department of Sociology, Finland. |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Aged
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statistics & numerical data* Aged, 80 and over Cause of Death Denmark Female Finland Humans Iceland Male Mortality / trends* Norway Sweden |
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