Challenges in the period of epidemiological renewal in Hungary: relationship between smoking and the unfavourable mortality conditions of middle-aged and older women

András Wéber, Hungarian Central Statistical Office (HCSO)

Due to the epidemiological crisis characteristic of socialist systems, societies in Central and Eastern Europe entered much later the fourth era of the epidemiological transition than western countries. Following the regime change, the cardiovascular revolution occurred with delay, life expectancy started to increase and a renewal can be experienced in the epidemiological development. In terms of life expectancy at age 40, Hungarian men are catching up with men in western countries, but in case of women, the rising trend has slowed down and the differences are entrenched. The aim of the research is to study the tobacco-related mortality conditions of the vulnerable middle-aged and older female population by, age and causes of death, adapting the internationally recommended method (updated in 2013) of the CDC for the circumstances in Hungary, from the 2000s to our days. In case of women the value of the smoking-attributable trachea, bronchus, lung cancers SDR/100000 dramatically increased by 60%. This is mainly due to the rising mortality trend of the 50-70 year-old smoker females. The tobacco consumption undoubtedly play a role in the unfavourable slow mortality improvement among women in Hungary. The risk of widowhood resulting from the earlier death of men, in respect of lifestyle, the decreasing differences in the health behaviour of the two sexes, as well as the extra burdens resulting from the reconciliation of career and family all justify the further examination of the changing social roles of women.