A new study by Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) has prepared a list of 10 leading causes of death in Tehran and two of its major counties.
According to the study, which examined the causes of all deaths in the past winter (December 21-March 20) in the regions studied, heart attacks, diabetes, and stroke were the three top causes of mortality in Tehran, Rey, and Eslamshahr.
Besides, other cardiovascular diseases, being hit by an object or falling from a height, pneumonia, old age (without dementia), lung cancer, stomach cancer, and respiratory diseases were the other causes of death respectively.
“We examined the cause of every death registered in Tehran city, Rey, and Eslamshahr under the age of 70,” said deputy chancellor at the TUMS for public health, and project manager.
“Death before the age of 70 is considered premature,” he noted.
According to ISNA, similar studies are undertaken by universities of medical sciences every three months. Once completed, the findings are shared and discussed at a meeting of university heads and officials to plan preventive strategies or reconsider existing measures.
Tehran’s air quality, particularly in the southern parts, are categorized as unhealthy for children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with cardiovascular and respiratory ailments for almost half of the year and most of the cold seasons.
Ischemic heart attack, road accidents, and brain stroke are the three top leading causes of death in men under age 60.
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of premature death among Iranians claiming 51% of the annual death rate. The rate of premature deaths due to CVD remains high despite the national document on prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) calling for reducing CVD by 25% by the end of 2025.
Among the 95,000 people who lose their lives to premature death from CVD, 35,000 are under 55 years, although 50% of such cases can be prevented through measures such as healthy lifestyles, timely checkups, and physical exercise.
