Effect of healthcare on mortality: trends in avoidable mortality in Umbria, Italy, 1994-2009.

Objective. Avoidable mortality trends over the period 1994-2009 were calculated to evaluate health intervention by the health system of Umbria, a region of central Italy. Materials and methods. Mortality data were supplied by the regional causes of death registry. Rates were standardized to the 2001 census Italian population. Joinpoint regression was used to analyze the trends. Results. Overall avoidable mortality rates decreased significantly both in males (-3.9% per year) and in females (-3.6% per year). Mortality rates from ischemic heart and cerebrovascular disease about halved in the study period in both sexes. Avoidable mortality increased slightly only for a few causes (e. g. lung cancer in females). Conclusion. The overall trend of avoidable mortality indicates that the regional health/preventive system is performing well.