GNC02
External causes of death
Official statistics for causes of death is compiled by the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control of Latvia based on the information in death certificates.
Statistics for causes of death gives important insight into the public health.
The statistics reflects mortality based on the main or underlaying cause of death. The underlying cause-of-death is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as ‘the disease or injury which initiated the train of morbid events leading directly to death, or the circumstances of the accident or violence which produced the fatal injury’.
Deaths from external causes in cities and municipalities (per 100 000 inhabitants)
Intentional self-harm (suicide)
Intentional self-harm or suicide accounts for the majority of external causes of death, making suicide one of the most pressing public health problems in Latvia, both in the general population and specifically among adolescents. Latvia has high mortality rates from suicide compared to other European Union Member States for both sexes, but especially for adult males over 35 years of age and also for boys aged 15-19 years. The mortality rate from Intentional self-harm is gradually decreasing.
The Baltic States have a relatively high mortality from suicide compared to other EU Member States (Eurostat: Death due to suicide, by sex [tps00122])
The mental health of teenagers and young people is a topical issue in society. In the age group of teenagers and young adults (15-19 years), the majority of suicides were committed by boys.
Transport accidents
Transport accidents, one of the most common external causes of death, are also more common among men, but overall deaths from transport accidents are decreasing.
Although mortality from transport accidents in Latvia is decreasing, Latvia's relative rates are still among the highest in Europe (Eurostat: Death due to transport accidents, by sex [tps00165])
Falls
Mortality from falls does not change significantly over time. Falls are dangerous and more likely to be fatal in people aged 75 years and over. By type of fall, the most common cause of death is slips and trips that lead to fall. The second most common in this group is falls from a height, including most with unknown intent. This is followed by falls on stairs, falls from buildings, falls from bed. The most common fatal falls occurred at home (more than half of all falls), in the street or on the road.
Drowning and submersion
Drowning and submersion are among the most common external causes of death. Men are more likely than women to underestimate their strength when going for a swim. Some of the deaths are related to drinking alcohol while relaxing by the water and to unsafe bathing. The safest places to swim are official bathing sites - places that have been specially designed, equipped, have lifeguards on duty and water quality monitoring.
Drowning is one of the most common external causes of death in children, who should always be supervised by adults, especially near bodies of water, which are often close to where they live (ponds, rivers, lakes). A particular risk group is adolescents who overestimate their ability to swim or jump headfirst from various hydraulic structures (footbridges, bridges, pontoons). The Baltic States have high mortality rates from drowning and submersion (Eurostat: Causes of death - standardised death rate [hlth_cd_asdr__custom_8293924])
Exposure to smoke, fire and flames
A significant number of people die every year in Latvia as a result of fires and smoke and the mortality rate from exposure to smoke, fire and flames has not changed significantly in recent years. Men have a higher mortality rate from smoke, fire and flames than women.
Excessive exposure to natural cold
In recent years, mortality from exposure to excessive natural cold has not decreased. Men are more likely than women to die from exposure to excessive natural cold.
Poisoning and exposure to harmful substances
In recent years, mortality from poisoning and exposure to harmful substances has remained stable, and the trend of men of working age being more likely to expose themselves to risks resulting in fatal poisoning has continued. Alcohol is the most commonly used substance causing fatal poisoning both for males and females, followed by narcotic and hallucinogenic substances in men and other and unspecified drugs in women.
Deaths from violence
Deaths from violence are decreasing. More men than women die from violence, but the relative mortality rate of men (per 100 000 inhabitants) has fallen faster than that of women. Latvia has one of the highest relative death rates from violence in Europe (Eurostat: Death due to homicide, assault, by sex [tps00146])