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4. Accident, alcohol and dementia mortality by region in 2009

It is difficult to compare causes of death by area because of differences in the age structures of areas, the low number of cases in small areas and annual random variations. In this publication mortality rates are calculated per 100,000 persons by age group and mortality among working-age population and mortality among those aged over 65 are compared separately, in which case the effect of the regional age structure is low.

In 2009, the accident mortality of working-age people (aged 15 to 64) was in Finland, on average, 31 persons per 100,000 population. In this classification alcohol poisonings are not counted in accidents but in alcohol-related deaths. Accident mortality was highest in South Karelia, nearly 50 persons per 100,000 population and in Satakunta, 46 per 100,000 population. In Satakunta the numbers of both fatal traffic accidents and fatal falls were higher than in the rest of the country. In South Karelia especially pharmaceutical and drug mortality was higher than elsewhere in Finland. Accident mortality was lowest in Åland, Central Ostrobothnia, Uusimaa and Ostrobothnia (formerly Swedish Ostrobothnia).

Figure 4. Accident mortality among working-age population (aged 15 to 64) by region in 2009

Mortality from alcohol-related causes (alcohol-related diseases and alcohol poisonings) has been of the same magnitude among working-age population in recent years. In the whole country it was around 46 persons per 100,000 population in 2009. Alcohol mortality was clearly highest in Kymenlaakso, followed by South Karelia. It was lowest in Åland, Ostrobothnia and Central Ostrobothnia (Figure 5).

Figure 5. Mortality of working-age population (aged 15 to 64) from alcohol-related causes of death by region in 2009

In Finland 17 per cent of the population are aged 64 or over. The population is most aged in the region of Etelä-Savo, where 22.5 per cent of the population are over the age of 65. Next come South Karelia, Kainuu, Satakunta and Kymenlaakso, where the share of those aged 65 or over was around 20 per cent. Dementia mortality is clearly highest in Swedish-speaking Ostrobothia, 750 persons per 100,000 population. This is followed by several regions where it was 650 persons per 100,000: Päijät-Häme, Kanta-Häme, Pirkanmaa and North Karelia. Dementia mortality was lowest in Åland, Central Ostrobothnia and Satakunta. The leading cause of death among Finns, ischaemic heart disease, was most common in Kainuu. It was least common in Åland and Uusimaa.

Figure 6. Dementia mortality of those aged 65 or over by region in 2009

Data are available on mortality by region in Appendix tables 2 and 3 of this publication and on the number of deaths by cause of death in database tables.

Source: Causes of death, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Irmeli Penttilä (09) 1734 3253, Helena Korpi (09) 1734 3605, Ulla Arkkio (09) 1734 3757, kuolemansyyt@stat.fi

Director in charge: Jari Tarkoma

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Updated 22.2.2011