The changing pattern of mortality in young adults aged 15 to 34 in Scotland between 1972 and 1992.

Between 1972 and 1992 the death rate in Scotland in young adults aged 15 to 34 from heart disease fell by nearly a half (49%), from cancer by a third (32%) and from respiratory diseases by 45%, with substantial falls in deaths from most other "natural causes". All of this impressive improvement was wiped out, however, by a massive increase in deaths from drug abuse, suicides and undetermined causes as well as the emergence of AIDS. In view of the fact that many deaths due to drug misuse may be attributed instead to the immediate cause, there is an urgent need for a national agency to be set up to investigate all deaths in young adults in order to determine the number in which alcohol or drugs are the underlying cause. This agency would also monitor progress towards attaining Health of the Nation targets relating to suicide.