Mortality trends among Jewish and non-Jewish men in Israel, 1960-82

Until l975 in Israel the mortality rates in men ≥25 years old were higher in Jews than non-Jews. Since then the relationship has been reversed with higher rates in the non-Jewish group. The three main causes of death in the two groups were heart disease, cancer and cerebrovascular disease (CVA). Death rates from total heart diseases rose in the non-Jewish population during 1970-82, whereas in the Jewish men there were only slight changes. With regard to cancer, death rates were higher in the Jewish group, but from 1970 to l978 it increased in both groups, the change being relatively higher in non-Jews. Mortality from CVA was higher among Jews at the beginning of the study period, but since l978 the rates remained higher in the non-Jewish population. Death from heart disease, cancer and CVA can partially explain the reversal in total mortality rates in 1975. A comparison of the data of Israeli men with those of Isreali women shows that the mortality rates of the non-Jewish population of both sexes have changed dramatically over the last decade. These findings have important implications for the planning of further research and for priority determination in health care planning.