The economic impact of premature mortality in Cabo Verde: 2016 - 2020

Mortality analysis studies in Cabo Verde are rare and those that are available are limited to short periods of analysis and to specific population groups. Traditionally used mortality data does not quantify the burden resulting from premature mortality. This study focused on the years of potential life lost (YPLL), years of potential productive life lost (YPPLL) and the costs associated with them in Cabo Verde from 2016 to 2020 and aimed to elucidate the patterns of early mortality in the period analyzed. Mortality data were obtained from the Ministry of Health, Cabo Verde. Deaths that occurred from 2016 to 2020, aged between one (1) and 73 years old, were analyzed by sex, age group, municipality and cause of death. YPLL, YPPLL and cost of productivity lost (CPL) were estimated using life expectancy and the human capital approach. A total of 6100 deaths were recorded in the sample population and males represented 68.1% (n = 4,154) of the deaths. The total number of deaths verified corresponded to 145,544 YPLL, of which 69.0% (100,389) were attributed to males. There were 4,634 deaths of individuals of working age, and these resulted in 80 965 YPPLL, with males contributing 72.1% (58,403) of the total YPPLL. The total estimated CPL due to premature death was 98,659,153.23 USD with trauma accounting for the highest estimated losses of 21,580,954.42 USD (21.9%), followed by diseases of the circulatory system 18,843,260.42 USD (19.1%), and certain infectious and parasitic diseases accounted for 16,633,842.70 USD (16.9%). The study demonstrated the social and economic burden of premature mortality. The YPLL, YPPLL and CPL measures can be used to complement measures traditionally used to demonstrate the burden and loss of productivity due to premature mortality and to support resource allocation and public health policies making in Cabo Verde.