site.btaBulgaria Has Made Progress in Improving Population Health Status

Sofia, November 16 (BTA) - Bulgaria has made progress in improving the health status of its population, according to an analysis of the World Health Organization (WHO). Its findings were presented by Prof. Plamen Dimitrov, deputy head of the National Centre of Public Health and Analyses. The study spans the period between 1985 and 2014.

According to the report, Bulgarian has drastically reduced child mortality rates and life expectancy has increased to 71.4 years for men and to 78.7 for women but is lower compared with European rates. The premature mortality rate (before 65) is also higher compared with other countries.

Total healthcare expenditures have increased but out of pocket payments account for a much larger share compared with other countries.

Skender Syla, head of the WHO office for Bulgaria said that it is unacceptable for people to be poor as a result of poor health. He warned about the high rates of tobacco smoking in Bulgaria, alcohol consumption, the growing financial burden of non-communicable diseases and the high level of out-of-pocket payments.

The relative share of under 14 population is very low compared with other countries and people over 65 account for nearly 20 per cent of the population.

Tuberculosis rates are very low together with AIDS and HIV cases. Chronic noncommunicable diseases among the active population - cancers, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes are higher than in other countries but there is a downward trend.

The main cause for deaths in Bulgaria are vascular diseases, Syla said.

According to chief epidemiologist Angel Kunchev, the main finding in the report is that the healthcare administration should be aware that efforts should focus on disease prevention.

Similar studies are carried out in Slovenia, Georgia, Greece and Moldova and the total number of countries will reach 53, said Claudia Stein of the WHO.