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Background: Several studies have proved that uterine cancer mortality has decreased in Japan over the past 50 years, but the age demographics in this regard are not clear. This study investigated the change pattern of age characteristics for this cancer. Methods: Cause-specific mortality was identified in the population of Japan and Ireland in the years 1950–2000. Time trends of age-specific mortality rate were assessed by fitting linear regression. The change rates between 1950 and 2000 were calculated in comparison with Ireland. The contribution of death from uterine cancer was estimated using cause-elimination life tables. Results: The mortality rate of uterine cancer decreased 59% from 1950 (19.7 per 100,000 women) to 2000 (8.14 per 100,000 women). Age-specific rates for women younger than 70 decreased around 80%, whereas that for women over 85 increased 105% during the same period. Correspondingly, the age of 70 years was the median age for the negative contribution of uterine cancer to life expectancy. Younger than that age, the trend of negative contribution decreased, over that age, it was increased. Conclusions: Mortality from uterine cancer trended toward the aging in Japan. The general mortality reduction trend was attributed to younger people and adults. These age characteristics can be explained by the increase in life expectancy during the 50-year period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare epidemiological characteristics of traffic accidents in Japan and Ireland, we analyzed mortality and the negative effect on life expectancy between 1950 and 2000 and generated a multivariate model. The characteristics were similar in the two countries: The time trends showed an increase in mortality followed by a decrease. The mortality rates were about 13 and 5/100,000 for males and females, respectively, in 2000. Correlation coefficients for sex were over 0.9. Age distribution obeyed the natural logarithm regularity. The negative effect on life expectancy was about 0.34 year for males, and 0.13 year for females. The economic level was positively associated with mortality, whereas "number of vehicles owned" was associated negatively. In conclusion, we can take advantage of the broad consistencies in these two countries when we draw up an intervention strategy. Any preventive strategy should be directed to the young, particularly males.