Objective:

To describe the profile and trend of overall and cause-specific mortality, during the period 2002-2014, of the departments of the Pacific region of Colombia: Cauca, Chocó, Nariño and Valle del Cauca.

Methodology:

Descriptive-ecological study that uses secondary data on mortality, births and population projections from the Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística (DANE). Annual overall and cause-specific mortality rates were calculated (by age, sex and for six large groups of causes of death), using the short list of causes of death 6/67 PAHO (communicable diseases, neoplasms/tumors, diseases of the circulatory system, conditions originating in the perinatal period, external causes and other causes). Trends were evaluated using a Poisson regression model with random effects.

Results:

Higher mortality was found in males (male/female ratio between 1.26-1.61) and in the population over 65 years of age. A downward trend was observed in overall mortality in the four departments, with Valle del Cauca having the highest overall and cause-specific mortality rates. The main cause of death, and with an upward trend, were diseases of the circulatory system, followed by other causes, external causes and neoplasms.

Conclusions:

Overall mortality showed a downward trend, of greater magnitude in men, and differential risk according to sex from 15-19 years attributed to the group of external causes. The main cause of death was diseases of the circulatory system, followed by all other causes and neoplasms. External causes showed a marked downward trend.

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