Non-communicable disease mortality trends in Argentina between 1997 and 2021

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are mainly represented by diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases, and are the main cause of death globally and in Argentina. NCDs affect people of all ages and are responsible for more than 70% of total deaths worldwide. The objective of this work was to characterize the epidemiological profile of NCD mortality in Argentina. METHODS: A descriptive time series study was carried out using official data on deaths between 1997 and 2021. RESULTS: During the period analyzed, mortality due to NCDs decreased constantly, with average annual reductions of 1.2% in the rate. This downward trend was observed mainly in cardiovascular disease and cancer. For the other groups of causes, the trends were uneven. DISCUSSION: Despite this decline, NCDs are historically responsible for more than 70% of total deaths in Argentina (except for the years 2020 and 2021, as mortality due to COVID-19 decreased their relative weight). Therefore, considering the major burden of these diseases, policy design and implementation should continue in order to reduce morbimortality due to this cause.