Colombia reduces potentially avoidable premature mortality by 23.1%

Colombia has achieved a 23.1% reduction in the rate of potentially avoidable premature deaths between 1998 and 2024. According to an analysis by ACEMI using official DANE statistics, this trend has prevented more than 600,000 deaths compared to a scenario where late-90s trends had persisted.

The rate of these deaths fell from 244 to 187.6 per 100,000 inhabitants, and their share of total deaths decreased from 52.7% in 1998 to 33.9% in 2024. While violence was once a primary driver, the profile of mortality has shifted. Since 2013, ischemic heart disease has become the leading cause of avoidable premature death, accounting for 24.9% of such deaths in 2024. Other significant causes include stroke, diabetes, COPD, certain cancers, traffic accidents, and suicide.

Despite national improvements, significant regional disparities remain. Areas such as Guaviare, Caldas, Antioquia, Casanare, Risaralda, and Quindío saw major decreases, whereas San Andrés, Nariño, Amazonas, La Guajira, and Putumayo showed much slower progress. Additionally, deaths related to drug consumption disorders have tripled over the last decade.