Overweight-Related Cardiovascular and Cancer Mortality Trends 1995–2021 in Switzerland: An Analysis of Multiple Causes of Death

Cristian Carmeli , University of Fribourg
Celia Viehl, University of Fribourg
Nazihah Noor, University of Fribourg
Salvatore Vaccarella, IARC
Arnaud Chiolero, University of Fribourg
Bernadette van der Linden, University of Fribourg

Overweight and obesity are global major causes of mortality, particularly due to their contribution to two leading causes of death: cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and cancers. In Switzerland, while mortality rates due to these diseases have declined steadily in the past 30 years, the prevalence of overweight (including obesity) has increased in the same period. We aimed to assess the contribution of overweight to trends of CVDs/cancers mortality rates between 1995 and 2021 in Switzerland, using multiple causes of death data. Because CVDs/cancers are frequently accompanied by co-existing ailments, the interplay of these conditions adds to the complexity of understanding mortality patterns. We conducted a population-based analysis of all deaths where CVDs/cancers were reported anywhere in the death certificate. CVDs/cancers were the underlying or contributing cause of death for 57%/32% of all deaths occurred 1995–2021. We identified overweight-related mortality as any death with at least one of the following conditions reported on the death certificate: diabetes, chronic kidney disease, obesity, lipidemias or hypertensive heart disease (DKOLH). DKOLH conditions were reported in 10% and 7% of the CVDs and cancers deaths, respectively. Both DKOLH CVDs/cancers and non-DKOLH CVDs/cancers age-standardized mortality rates decreased between 1995 and 2021, with different dynamics. While non-DKOLH mortality rates decreased steadily, DKOLH mortality rates increased until 2005 and decreased from 2006 onward. Additional analyses will be conducted to examine sex- and age-specific trends. This study highlights multiple causes of death data as a valuable source of data to track relevant mortality trends.

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 Presented in Session P2. Health, Mortality, Ageing - Aperitivo