Brussels, 05/11/2007 (Agence Europe) - An epidemiological study, led by Professor Witold Zatonski (Institute of Oncology, Warsaw), and supported by the Community public health programme, highlights the gap which still separates the old EU member states from the new, in terms of life expectancy. In the new member states, just as in the old, the main causes of death are cardio-vascular disease and cancer, but the levels of alcohol consumption and smoking, generally higher than the European average, have an aggravating effect. To these can be added the high numbers of accidents and, in some countries, abnormally high levels of infant deaths. The report, presented in Brussels on 23 October, could lead to changes to health policies to allow them to better face the challenges of smoking and alcohol abuse, and to alter eating habits. Almost everywhere, there has been an increase in the consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids, and high levels of obesity. Not everything is as negative, however. Countries like Hungary and the Czech Republic have seen an increase in life expectancy, and Slovenia has virtually fully caught up with Western Europe. Each of the ten Central and Eastern countries is considered in turn.
- Bulgaria: The level of infant mortality in Bulgaria is 30% above the average of the ten countries studied and two and a half times higher than in the old EU countries. In 2002, a Bulgarian man had a life expectancy of 68.8 years (7.2 years less than a man from the old member states), and a Bulgarian woman had a life expectancy of 75.5 years (6.3 years less). 38% of men and 29% of women are overweight, the highest rates in the ten countries studied. There is excessive consumption of salt: more than ten grams per day. The smoking rate is the highest in the EU.
- Czech Republic: Life expectancy in the Czech Republic sits between that of the old and the new member states. The numbers of people overweight is among the highest, but only 13% of the population is obese for the moment.
- Estonia: Life expectancy for men is only 65.3 years. Alcohol and tobacco consumption are identified as the main causes of this premature mortality, which is closely related to cardio-vascular disease and work-related injuries. The consumption of substitute alcohol (not designed to be drunk) and binge drinking are very common. There is a high level of obesity (17%). Recent campaigns have, however, reduced smoking and tripled fruit consumption.
- Hungary: The level of alcohol consumption is very high: 13.6 litres of pure alcohol per person per year and, among men aged 20 to 64, there are 97 deaths from cirrhosis of the liver per 100,000. The proportion of women who smoke (31%) is above the European average. 18% of men and 16% of women were obese in Hungary in 2002.
- Latvia: Latvian men have a life expectancy of 64.7 years. While there has been a reduction in alcohol consumption, vodka remains the Latvians' favourite drink. Over half the male population (52%) smokes.
- Lithuania: Among young males, the rate of death due to injury (350 per 100,000) exceeds that due to cardio-vascular disease (270 per 100,000). The suicide rate among men is also the highest in Europe. Among women the suicide rate is the third highest in the EU.
- Poland: In terms of life expectancy, Poland is slightly better than the average for the Central and Eastern European countries. Its own peculiar pattern of alcohol consumption (excessive consumption on special occasions, which is different from the daily, but more moderate, consumption of alcohol in the Mediterranean countries, the report says) is the main cause of early death for 102 men per 100,000, twice the rate of the EU15 (55 per 100,000). 39% of men and 24% of women are overweight, with 18% of men between 20 and 64 being obese.
- Romania: While Romania still has relatively low levels of people who are overweight or obese, its life expectancy for women, at 74.7 years, is the lowest. It also has the highest rate of infant mortality. The main cause of death is cardio-vascular disease, related to high levels of smoking.
- Slovakia: Slovakia holds two records: the highest rates of death from cirrhosis of the liver among both men and women, and the highest percentage of overweight men (60%).
- Slovenia: With a life expectancy of 72.6 years for men and 80.5 years for women, Slovakia is on a par with the fifteen old member states. The level of cardio-vascular disease is 50% lower than the average of the ten countries studied. Few Slovenians smoke, and there was a 150% increase in the consumption of fruit between 1992 and 2002.
More information can be found at http: //http://www.hem.waw.pl (O.J.)