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Regional Disparities in Premature Mortality from Cardiovascular Disease in France (2008–2010) and Trends Since 2000–2002

Cardiovascular diseases are the third leading cause of premature mortality in France. In BEH 26, published on September 23, the InVs released a study aimed at describing regional disparities in premature cardiovascular mortality for ischemic heart disease (IHD), cerebrovascular diseases (CVD), heart failure (HF), and pulmonary embolism (PE) in 2008–2010, and to examine trends over time. Data were extracted from national databases on medical causes of death. For each condition, the average annual regional rates for 2008–2010 were standardized and then compared to the national rate. Their trends since 2000–2002 were analyzed using Poisson regressions. Significant regional disparities were observed. Some regions, including Limousin, had higher rates of premature mortality than the national average for the four conditions considered.