Trends in mortality from major non-communicable diseases in the middle-aged population of Malta.

Trends in life expectancy and mortality from noncommunicable diseases among the middle-aged in Malta are analyzed using official vital statistics data. The results show that the greatest improvement in mortality occurred between 1930 and 1960 and that mortality was approximately 40 percent higher for men. The proportion of deaths from major noncommunicable diseases (cardiovascular diseases cancer and diabetes) increased over the period 1968-1982 and mortality from these causes was higher than in other European Mediterranean countries. (SUMMARY IN FRE) (ANNOTATION)