Cerebrovascular disease mortality in Mexico, 2000-2008: A call for action

Introduction: Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) is a growing health problem in countries living the epidemiological transition. In Mexico, population data on this issue is scarce. Objective: To describe the changing pattern on CVD mortality in Mexico, during the period 2000 to 2008. Methods: We consulted the Mexican Health Ministry database provided by the National System on Health Information. Data on the period 2000 to 2008 (the only available) was extracted. Crude CVD deaths, annualized population mortality rates and proportions attributed to CVD among other mortality causes are here presented. Results: By the year 2000 a total of 435,486 deaths were registered in Mexico (general mortality rate: 4.42/100,000; total population: 98,438,557 inhabitants), increasing to 538,288 in 2008 (general mortality rate: 5.05/100,000; total population: 106,682,518 inhabitants), which coincided with an increment in the population aged >= 65 years specifically (year 2000: 4,591,319; year 2008: 5,983,927). Specific CVD mortality also showed a growing pattern from 2000 (annualized mortality rate: 25.21/100,000) to 2008 (annualized mortality rate: 28.30/ 100,000). By 2008, the Mexican state with the highest CVD mortality rate was Veracruz (annualized mortality rate: 36.3/100,000), followed by Oaxaca (annualized mortality rate: 36.2/100,000) and the Federal District (annualized mortality rate: 34.9/100,000). Of note, a decreasing annualized mortality rate was observed in the population aged >= 65 years, at expense of a higher frequency at younger ages. Conclusions: CVD mortality has increased in Mexico, particularly in persons aged < 65 years. Comprehensive population studies on fatal and non-fatal CVD incidence by specific clinical types are urgently needed.