Comparative study of cardiovascular and cancer mortality of Adventists and non-Adventists from Espírito Santo State, in the period from 2003 to 2009.

INTRODUCTION: Populations with healthier habits have been investigated regarding their pattern of disease occurrence.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims at evaluating mortality patterns (all-cause, cardiovascular diseases) among members of the Seventh-day Adventists Church in the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil, and to compare those with the mortality rates in the State population.

METHODS: The study investigated 14.519 living Adventists and 995 deaths among those aged ≥ 30 years old from 2003 to 2009. A total of 896 deaths were confirmed by the Mortality Information System of the Ministry of Health. Standardized mortality ratios (SMR) were calculated utilizing the indirect method, with the state population ≥ 30 years old as the standard population.

RESULTS: Adventists presented all-cause mortality rate 42.5% lower than the Espírito Santo population (SMR = 57.5; 95%CI 47.8 - 68.2), 52.2% lower by ischemic heart disease (SMR = 48; 95%CI 25.02 - 82,75) and 46.3% less by stroke (SMR = 54; 95%CI 30.4 - 87.8).

CONCLUSION: The Adventists' healthier lifestyle in relation to diet, smoking, and alcohol consumption may have influenced their lower mortality rates.