Amenable Mortality

Amenable Mortality

What is amenable mortality?

Amenable mortality is defined as premature deaths that could potentially be avoided given effective and timely care. That is, deaths from diseases for which effective health interventions exist that might prevent death before an arbitraryupper age limit (usually 75)[1].

What are the causes of death included in the amenable mortality measure?

The list of amenable causes of death can be found at appendix one. The list comprises 35 conditions, grouped into six super-categories:

• infections
• maternal and infant conditions
• injuries
• cancers
• cardiovascular diseases and diabetes
• other chronic diseases.

Why would I choose amenable mortality as a measure?

Amenable mortality is a useful screen of health system performance, and can serve to identify potential areas of concern for more detailed investigation.[2]

It is recommended that Alliances look firstly at the amenable mortality measure as a whole, then drill down to super category level, and finally to specific condition level.

Why can’t I replicate the data in my DHB?

The data for this measure is produced from the Mortality Data Collection. The Mortality Data Collection uses information from a variety of organisations to collect and code causes of death information for every death in New Zealand.

Why is the data used in the measure two and a half year’s old?

It takes several years for some coronial cases to return verdicts. Given the significant impact these cases can have on some causes of death the Ministry is unable to release provisional cause of death information till around 2 years after the end of the year

When will I receive the data in my DHB?

Reports will be made available to DHBs annually, in the February of each year (subject to mortality data being available in December). You will be provided with a rolling five years data set.

Appendix 1: List of amenable mortality groups and conditions with ICD10 codes

Page 1 of 2

[1]Gay, J.G. et al. (2011), “Mortality Amenable to Health Care in 31 OECD Countries: Estimates and methodological Issues”, OECD Health Working Papers, No.55, OECD Publishing. doi: 10.1787/5kgj35f9f8s2-3n

[2] Ministry of Health. 2010, Saving Lives: Amenable Mortality in New Zealand, 1996-2006. Wellington: Ministry of Health