Аңдатпа
Background Previous research has found that cardiovascular mortality in Kazakhstan is higher in regions where Russians comprise up to half of the population than in regions predominantly populated by ethnic Kazakhs. The aim of this study was to examine ethnic differences in overall mortality in Kazakhstan in 2009-2012. Methods Age-standardized mortality in Kazakhstan from all causes for the age group 25-64, as well as for very young children (0-4) and adolescents (10-14, 15-19), was analysed for the period of 2009-2012 with regard to ethnicity, gender and place of living (urban versus rural). Results Age-standardized mortality in the age group 25-64 was significantly lower among ethnic Kazakhs compared to ethnic Russians. In 2012, the difference was about 40% for men (976 vs. 1,602 per 100,000) and 34% for women (374 vs. 570 per 100,000). The ethnic mortality gap was widening in 2009-2012, as mortality among Kazakh women and men decreased by 12% and 8% respectively, compared to a 5% decrease for Russian men and women. Among Kazakh men and women, mortality was higher in rural than in urban areas. Among Russians, mortality was higher in rural areas for women but higher for men in urban areas. Among very young children and those in the age group 10-14, all-cause mortality is lower among Russians than among Kazakhs. However, beginning in the 15-19 age group, mortality among Russians exceeds that among Kazakhs, reaching an almost two-fold difference in the age groups 20-50. The gap is diminishing again in older age groups, and disappears in the age group 70-74, with slightly higher mortality among Kazakhs in those aged 75+. Conclusions Our findings indicate that adult ethnic Russians, both men and women, have substantially higher all-cause age-standardized mortality than ethnic Kazakh men and women. In view of their generally higher socioeconomic status and better access to health care, lifestyle factors could be at play, in particular alcohol consumption, which is reported in surveys to be higher among ethnic Russians than among ethnic Kazakhs. Key message The analysis of ethnic differences in mortality is important and can inform future research and policy action to reduce premature mortality in Kazakhstan.