What Are the Causes of Death Among Iranians?

The Open Data Database of Iran is an innovation project aimed at collecting data related to Iran in one place and presenting it in easily accessible formats. Radio Farda, in collaboration with this entity, publishes a series of articles, the first of which is as follows. In recent years, based on statistical reports from the Civil Registration Organization, 'cardiovascular diseases,' 'cancer and tumors,' and 'respiratory diseases' have accounted for the highest share among the causes of death among Iranians, averaging more than half of reported deaths (first chart). Between the years 1385 (2006-2007) and the end of 1393 (2014-2015), the share of these factors in total mortality statistics has also increased. If in 1385, about 4 out of every 10 deaths were due to these three causes, by 1393 (the latest available statistics at the time of this report), nearly 6 out of every 10 deaths were attributed to these physical ailments. Previously, the Tehran Municipality's Safety Committee considered air pollution as one of the factors increasing mortality rates. Cardiovascular diseases have the largest share in causes of death, accounting for 1 in 3 deaths between 1385 and the end of 1393. The increase in this factor's share has also been significant, jumping from about 26% in 1388 to 38% by the end of 1393. Additionally, during this same period, three factors exhibited the most fluctuation: 'infectious and parasitic diseases,' 'mental disorders and behavioral disorders,' and 'complications of pregnancy and childbirth.' Although these factors are not among the main causes of death in the country, their changes in share of total mortality are notable. Among these, the sharp increase in deaths due to infectious and parasitic diseases between 1386 and 1388, followed by a significant decrease in 1390, is puzzling. Since that year, the statistics related to deaths from this cause have been gradually increasing (second chart). The statistics announced by the Civil Registration Organization also include titles such as 'defined and vague symptoms and conditions,' 'unknown,' and 'others,' which accounted for 20.6% of deaths reported in 1393, indicating a deficiency in identifying and accurately reporting death cases in the country. Thus, at least one out of every five deaths in 1393 was due to an unspecified reason. Although the lack of precise information on the causes of death, which is reflected in the high share of 'vague and undefined factors,' 'others,' or 'unknown' in the statistics, hinders a detailed analysis of the causes of death in Iran, the specific sections indicating an increase in the share of cardiovascular diseases, cancers and tumors, and respiratory diseases are significant and meaningful. Note: The Civil Registration Organization is responsible for announcing mortality statistics in Iran. This organization publishes mortality cases annually in a 19-category classification that includes 'death at birth' or 'defined and vague symptoms.' However, in 1389, this organization did not publish mortality cause statistics. The re-publication of mortality statistics in 1390 was accompanied by extensive changes in the nineteen causes. Of these nineteen, only three factors remained unchanged, while the others were either removed or renamed. For example, before 1389, there was a category titled 'stillbirth and abortion,' which was removed in later years, and 'diseases around the time of birth' was added. In another example, before 1389, there was a reason titled 'accidents and poisonings,' which was practically removed in later years, leaving only 'unintentional accidents.' It is clear that a reason like poisoning encompasses a wide range of deaths, but currently, there are no statistics available on it. This report has been written using data from the Open Data Database of Iran.