The aim of this study to assess inequalities in life expectancy of Lithuanian males and females throughout the period of 1990-2006 and to estimate the contribution of major causes of death to inequalities in life expectancy.
Material and methods: Information on deaths was obtained from the Lithuanian Department of Statistics. Life table analysis was carried out. Analysis of components was applied in order to assess the contribution of the major causes of death to the differences in life expectancy of males and females. The joint point regression analysis was used to identify the critical points, wherever a statistically significant change in life expectancy occurred.
Results: Two cut points, dividing the trends in life expectancy into three periods of decreasing, increasing, and again decreasing life expectancy, were characteristic of both males and females in 1990-2006. Changes in life expectancy were more pronounced for males in all three periods. Overall change in life expectancy was not statistically significant for males and was increasing by 0.2% annually for females throughout the period of investigation. The greatest number of years in life expectancy was lost due to cardiovascular diseases in both males and females. External causes contributed most to the difference in life expectancy of able-bodied (aged 15-64 years) males and females. Differences in life expectancy of males and females decreased from 12.3 to 11.8 years throughout the period of 1994-2006; however, it remained among highest in Europe. Since 1991, external causes of death have become the major, though decreasing, contributors to inequalities in life expectancy between males and females. In 2006, compared to 1994, contribution of cardiovascular diseases and cancer increased.
Conclusion: Attempts to reduce demographic and social inequalities in health should become a priority in social and health policy formulation. The criteria for evaluation of the national and regional health and social programs should reflect aspects of equal opportunities in health for males and females.