[Mortality and mean life span as an indicator of population health status].

The main source of data for the evaluation of the health status of the population are mortality statistics. The paper contains data on the standardized mortality and mean life span from the Annual World Health Report. The graphic presentation of data makes it possible to compare 15 selected European countries. In addition to the general mortality the cardiovascular mortality and the mortality from neoplasm is given. In the conclusion the author points out that the adverse health status of the Czechoslovak population must be improved not only by ensuring healthy living conditions but also by creating prerequisites for a change of the present lifestyle.