Contribuția cauzelor de deces în evoluția mortalității premature în rândul bărbaților în țări europene selectate

Abstract

Premature mortality among the adult population is a significant concern in contemporary demography. However, a thorough understanding of the progress made requires a more detailed examination of causes of death and, more specifically, their role in the development of premature mortality. This study aims to evaluate recent changes in the age and cause-specific structure of premature mortality among the male population of selected European countries, focusing on the varied impact of causes of death on lifespan disparity. The calculation of cause-specific contributions to lifespan disparity was carried out using the stepwise replacement algorithm, applied to both age structure and cause-ofdeath profiles. The findings show a notable shift away from reducing early-life mortality towards improvements seen in adulthood, where non-communicable diseases – especially cardiovascular conditions and neoplasms – are central. In many cases, the continued or renewed rise in chronic disease-related deaths among adults undermines earlier progress. In this context, further reductions in lifespan inequality will rely on more effectively targeted health policies, focusing on preventing and managing chronic conditions and promoting health equity throughout the entire life course. The article was elaborated under the research subprogramme 030102: Demographic Transition in the Republic of Moldova: Specific Features, Socio-Economic Implications, and the Consolidation of Demographic Resilience (2024-2027).