Epidemiological Transition in Urban Population of Maharashtra

Abstract

Our objective is to assess epidemiological transition in urban Maharashtra in India in past two decades. We used the medically certified causes of death (MCCD) data from urban areas of Maharashtra, 1990–2006. Cause-specific death rate was estimated, standardized for age groups, and projected by using an exponential linear regression model. The results indicate that the burden of mortality due to noncommunicable conditions increased by 25% between 1990 and 2006 and will add 20% more by 2020. Among specific causes, the “diseases of the circulatory system” were consistently the leading CoD between 1990 and 2006. The “infectious and parasitic disease” and “diseases related to respiratory system” were the second and third leading causes of death, respectively. For children and young population, the leading cause of death was the “certain conditions originating in the prenatal period” and “injury and poisoning,” respectively, among both sexes. Among adults, the leading cause of death was “infectious and parasitic diseases.” In case of the adult female and elderly population, “diseases of circulatory system” caused the most deaths. Overall the findings foster that socioeconomically developed and demographically advanced urban Maharashtra bears the double burden of disease-specific mortality.