Excess mortality in the Hunter region of Australia

The Hunter region of New South Wales has experienced higher death rates than expected during the past two decades. To try to explain this phenomenon the excess mortality was analysed by sex, age, cause of death and local governmental area within the region. Apart from unusually high mortality from motor vehicle accidents amongst young males, the excess deaths were confined to the age groups 35-74 years in both sexes, occurred in the predominantly industrial and mining areas and were largely attributable to ischaemic heart disease and stroke (with deaths from cancers occurring at normal rates). These findings emphasise that any prevention programme aimed at reducing mortality should focus on vascular diseases and be directed towards those sections of the community identified at greatest potential risk