Causes of Soviet adult mortality increases.

Abstract

The recent increase in mortality in the USSR is analyzed. In particular the author seeks to identify the causes of mortality change among older males. Several possible explanatory variables are tested by regression analysis. The variables considered include alcohol tobacco education rural residence age sex ratio and Moslem population. Heart diseases accidents poisonings and traumas and diseases of the respiratory organs are identified as major causes of increased mortality and alcohol and tobacco consumption are related to mortality levels. (ANNOTATION)