Age and Time Patterns of Mortality by Cause in Italy: A Mortality Surface Approach

Elisabetta Barbi, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research
Graziella Caselli, Università di Roma "La Sapienza"
Anatoli Yashin, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research

The aim of the paper is to study trends and differentials in cause-specific mortality, in Italy, during the last century, exploiting a new simple but powerful tool: the surface by age and time of leading causes of death. First, considering the Italian mortality data by age and sex for large groups of causes of death, we review the epidemiological transition in Italy through the mortality surfaces of the first and second leading cause of death since 1895 to 2000. Second, focusing on the last stage of the epidemiological transition, we analyse the new mortality profiles through the surfaces of the first and second leading cause of death with respect to cancer. The approach followed in this study seems very promising. The resulting detailed picture of mortality dynamics can help to direct the public policy towards more suitable and prompt interventions.