Why is this measurement important?
In order to create a healthy and safe community, we need to take action on causes that may influence premature deaths (individuals dying before they reach 75 years old) in the population. Premature deaths can be subcategorized into avoidable and unavoidable deaths. Deaths from avoidable causes should not occur if the presence of timely and effective health care or other public health practices, programs and policy interventions are in place. Avoidable mortality from preventable causes includes deaths that could be avoided by preventing the disease from developing or injury from occurring. Deaths from these conditions are significantly linked to modifiable factors, which means there are measures to change them. From 2008-2012, there were 710 premature deaths from diseases and conditions that are 100% preventable (i.e., cancers of the lung, liver, and stomach, chronic lower respiratory diseases, alcohol-related diseases, and injuries including falls, transport accidents, self-inflicted injuries and accidental poisonings) and 219 deaths from diseases and conditions that are 50% preventable (i.e., ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus).
How is this measured?
Rate of individuals under 75 years of age who have died with a condition considered preventable as the primary cause of death.
