Provincial Differences in the Main Causes of Years of Life Lost Due to Premature Death of Iranian Elderly in 2016

In order to evaluate the burden of disease in the provinces of Iran, this study seeks to investigate the provincial differences of the main causes of years of life lost in old age in 2016.

This is a descriptive cross-sectional study that was conducted in 2016 at the provincial and national levels. These data were obtained from the registration system of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, and using the standard method of the World Health Organization, the number of years of life lost was calculated based on three causes of death for the elderly.

The share of elderly deaths in total deaths ranged from 43% in Sistan and Baluchestan province to 77% in Gilan province. Golestan province had the highest YLL rate due to cardiovascular diseases (345 per thousand) and cancers (227 per thousand) in old age and Kerman province with 81 per thousand had the highest YLL rate due to respiratory diseases at this age they had.

Increasing the proportion of elderly population in the future and, consequently, the increasing trend of deaths at this age and in order to better manage it, it is necessary to pay attention to provincial differences and potentials to improve the health of the elderly, especially in the field of causes of death.