Why do the citizens of Azerbaijan die?

Experts found that more than half of the deaths - namely, 54% - were caused by medical reasons, i.e. non-communicable diseases. This list includes ischemic heart disease, stroke, respiratory infections of the lower respiratory tract, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, diabetes, dementia, diarrhea, tuberculosis, car accidents. Non- communicable diseases (NCDs) account for 70% of deaths worldwide.

How much does the world situation on mortality differ from Azerbaijan? What are our citizens most likely to die from?

According to the cardiosurgeon, doctor of medical sciences Rashad Mahmudov, the most common cause of death among the population of the republic is cardiovascular diseases. According to the results of 2017, cardiovascular diseases accounted for 57.8% of all deaths. At the same time, the greatest number of people who go to the Baku emergency and emergency medical service station is connected with complaints about the heart and blood pressure.

The second place in this list is cancer. According to the State Statistics Committee, if 11 118 new cases of tumors were diagnosed in 2015, 11 761 were registered in 2016, and 217 were detected in children under 13 years old. In general, over 44,000 patients with oncological diseases are registered in Azerbaijan. Most often, women have breast cancer, cervix, and men have cancer of the trachea, lungs and prostate.

Other causes of death are diseases of the respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract. These data almost coincide with the results of the study of the expert group of the Ministry of Health conducted on the methodology of the WHO Steps. The first interim study on this issue was held last year, and the second - in 2020. According to the analysis, 87% of all deaths in Azerbaijan are attributed to non-communicable diseases. The number of deaths from cardiovascular diseases is 51%, and from cancer - 11%. Unfortunately, the number of deaths from car accidents has increased.

The chief cardiologist Azerbaijan Faig Guliyev, the reasons for the growth of cardiological, oncological diseases are related to the worldwide trends. These include, in particular, the fact that citizens consume too much salt, harmful food, at the same time they eat very little plant food and lead a passive, sedentary lifestyle. A negative role is played by stresses, depressions and psychological upheavals experienced by people due to various problems.

However, independent economist Azer Mehdiyev, studying the situation in the field of national healthcare, points to such an important issue as the prevention of diseases, the quality of medical services. "Preventive work in the country leaves much to be desired. Along with general medical examination, it is necessary to conduct separate screenings for oncological diseases and cardiovascular diseases in order to early identify these diseases and prevent them. This practice is common in the West. It enables to begin treatment in time, to save a person from death. Another important point is the availability of medical services. After all, in addition to diagnosing the disease, you still need to undergo a course of treatment or surgery. Because of the high prices for these services, financial problems, many patients do not turn to specialists or apply when the disease passes to the last stage. Analyzes, ultrasound, tomography, drugs - all this requires a lot of money. Sometimes the examination has to be repeated, "the expert notes.

According to Mehdiyev, the study of WHO reports is important from the point of view of preparing tactics of action in the prevention of diseases. For example, in a country where deaths from cancer or diabetes are increasing, a special program for the prevention of these diseases will be required. Similarly, if the country is more likely to die from a stroke, the main forces should be directed to its prevention and treatment. The same applies to children's non-communicable diseases.