@article{ref1,
title="Trends in cause-specific mortality: deaths of despair in Spain, 1980-2019",
journal="Journal of public health (Oxford)",
year="2023",
author="Piñeiro, Bárbara and Spijker, Jeroen J. A. and Trias-Llimós, Sergi and Blanes Lloréns, Amand and Permanyer, Iñaki",
volume="",
number="",
pages="fdad133-fdad133",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Research from various countries has shown increases in alcohol- and drug-related deaths and suicide, known as 'deaths of despair' over recent decades, particularly among low-educated middle-aged individuals. However, little is known about trends in death-of-despair causes in Spain. Therefore, we aim to descriptively examine this among 25-64-year-olds from 1980 to 2019 and by educational attainment for the years 2017-19. <br><br>METHODS: We obtained mortality and population data from the National Institute of Statistics to estimate age-standardized mortality rates and assess educational inequalities using the relative index of inequality (RII). <br><br>RESULTS: Deaths of despair as a share of total mortality slightly increased from 2000 onwards, particularly among 25-64-year-old men (from 9 to 10%). Only alcohol-related mortality declined relatively more since 1980 compared with all-cause mortality. Regarding educational differences, low-educated men presented higher mortality rates in all death-of-despair causes (alcohol-related: RII 3.54 (95% CI: 2.21-5.66); drug-related: RII 3.49 (95% CI: 1.80-6.77); suicide: RII 1.97 (95% CI: 1.49-2.61)). Women noteworthy differences were only observed for alcohol-related (RII 3.50 (95% CI: 2.13-5.75)). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest an increasing proportion of deaths of despair among 25-64-year-olds since 2000, particularly among men. Public health policies are needed to reduce and prevent these premature and preventable causes of mortality.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1741-3842",
doi="10.1093/pubmed/fdad133",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdad133"
}