Table 2 Top 10 causes of death of premature death (before 75 years of age) in women and their evolution over time in most and least deprived areas in Belgium (1998–2019)

Premature mortality (women)

1998–2003

413.95

(408.20-419.71)

246.97

(241.43-252.51)

166.98

67.61%

1.68

(1.64–1.72)

< 0.001

2014–2019

349.91

(345.08-354.74)

183.86 (178.50-189.21)

166.02

90.31%

1.90

(1.85–1.96)

< 0.001

Absolute difference

-64.04

-63.11

Relative difference

-15.47

-25.55%

Ischemic heart disease

1998–2003

36.50

(34.72–38.29)

21.20

(19.39–23.01)

15.30

72.17%

1.72

(1.57–1.88)

< 0.001

2014–2019

17.59

(16.40-18.78)

5.72

(4.79–6.64)

11.87

207.52%

3.08

(2.67–3.55)

< 0.001

Absolute difference

-18.91

-15.48

Relative difference

-51.8

-73.0%

Neoplasm of digestive system

1998–2003

32.40

(30.70–34.10)

26.75

(24.72–28.77)

5.65

21.12%

1.21

(1.10–1.32)

< 0.001

2014–2019

30.77

(29.20-32.34)

21.30

(19.52–23.08)

9.47

44.46%

1.44

(1.32–1.58)

< 0.001

Absolute difference

-1.63

-5.45

Relative difference

-5.10

-20.40%

Breast cancer

1998–2003

29.64

(28.01–31.28)

32.45

(30.30–34.60)

2.81

8.65%

0.91

(0.84–0.99)

< 0.001

2014–2019

22.65

(21.32–23.99)

21.66

(19.88–23.44)

0.99

4.57%

1.05

(0.95–1.16)

< 0.001

Absolute difference

-6.99

-10.79

Relative difference

-23.58

-33.25%

Lung cancer

1998–2003

22.79

(21.35–24.23)

12.36

(11.00-13.73)

10.43

84.39%

1.84

(1.64–2.09)

< 0.001

2014–2019

32.35

(30.76–33.95)

16.32

(14.78–17.86)

16.03

98.22%

1.98

(1.80–2.18)

< 0.001

Absolute difference

9.56

3.96

Relative difference

41.94%

32.04%

Cerebrovascular heart disease (Stroke)

1998–2003

23.97

(22.52–25.43)

15.39

(13.84–16.93)

8.58

55.75%

1.84

(1.64–2.09)

< 0.001

2014–2019

14.17

(13.10-15.25)

7.58

(6.46–8.69)

6.59

86.95%

1.98

(1.80–2.18)

< 0.001

Absolute difference

-9.8

-7.81

Relative difference

-40.88

-50.74%

Chronic lung disease (COPD + Asthma)

1998–2003

18.99

(17.69–20.29)

5.2

(4.27–6.14)

13.79

265.19%

3.65

(3.14–4.28)

< 0.001

2014–2019

22.05

(20.72–23.39)

6.57

(5.55–7.59)

15.48

235.61%

3.36

(2.94–3.83)

< 0.001

Absolute difference

3.06

1.37

Relative difference

16.11%

26.34%

Female genital organs cancer

1998–2003

17.05

(15.81–18.29)

14.69

(13.22–16.15)

2.36

16.06%

1.16

(1.03–1.28)

< 0.001

2014–2019

13.91

(12.87–14.96)

9.91

(8.69–11.14)

4

40.36%

1.40

(1.22–1.61)

< 0.001

Absolute difference

-3.14

-4.78

Relative difference

-18.42

-32.53%

Chronic liver disease

1998–2003

15.18

(13.99–16.37)

4.59

(3.74–5.45)

2.31

230.72%

3.30

(2.80–3.85)

< 0.001

2014–2019

12.74

(11.74–13.73)

5.02

(4.10–5.93)

7.72

153.78%

2.54

(2.16–2.98)

< 0.001

Absolute difference

-2.44

0.43

Relative difference

-16.07%

9.37%

Intentional self-harm

1998–2003

11.23

(10.24–12.21)

6.02

(5.09–6.95)

5.21

86.54%

1.86

(1.58–2.22)

< 0.001

2014–2019

9.94

(9.09–10.79)

8.35

(7.18–9.51)

1.59

19.04%

1.19

(1.02–1.39)

< 0.001

Absolute difference

-1.29

2.33

Relative difference

-11.48%

38.70

Influenza & Pneumonia

1998–2003

8.16

(7.29–9.04)

5.65

(4.62–6.67)

2.51

44.43%

1.45

(1.19–1.70)

< 0.001

2014–2019

6.57

(5.83–7.31)

3.24

(2.45–4.02)

3.33

102.78%

2.0

(1.61–2.55)

< 0.001

Absolute difference

-1.59

-2.41

Relative difference

-19.49

-42.65%