Changing mortality patterns in men.

Important changes in age-adjusted mortality (35-74 y) have occurred in the last 35 years in men. This is apparent from the study of the mortality patterns from 7 countries which were chosen as representative of populations with varying lifestyles. Mortality from all causes has shown the greatest decrease in Japan and the greatest increase in Hungary. From 1970 on cardiovascular mortality demonstrates a downward trend in all countries, except in Sweden where it remains virtually unchanged and Hungary where it rises markedly. Cancer mortality shows an upward trend which levels off during the last 15 years with the exception of Hungary. Changes in dietary and smoking habits and mass treatment for hypertension offer the most plausible explanation for the observed changes.