[Overall and cause based mortality in General Villegas District, Buenos Aires, Argentina (2015-2020). A population-based analysis within the framework of the Population-Based Epidemiological Study on Stroke (EstEPA)].

INTRODUCTION: There are few recent population-based studies on mortality in Argentina outside the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our objective was to describe overall and cause-based mortality in the General Villegas District (Buenos Aires) between 2015 and 2020, and to compare it with provincial and national rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a population-based observational cohort study that included all deaths among individuals aged ≥18 years occurring between June 2015 and May 2020 in General Villegas (total population: 35 251 inhabitants). Data were obtained from death certificates, medical records, interviews, and verbal autopsies. Causes of death were classified according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision: ICD-10. Crude and age--and sex-adjusted mortality rates were calculated using the Argentine standard population, the WHO standard population, and the modified Segi standard for Latin America. RESULTS: A total of 1031 deaths were recorded (56.5% men), yielding a crude mortality rate of 9.7‰, higher than the provincial (8.2‰) and national (7.9‰) rates. The rate was higher in men (11.0‰) than in women (8.4‰). Adjusted mortality rates were 5.2‰ (Argentina), 6.8‰ (modified Segi), and 5.8‰ (WHO). Cardiovascular diseases (170/100 000; 25.4%) and neoplasms (140/100 000; 21.5%) were the leading causes of death. In individuals aged 18-39 years, external causes predominated (36%). DISCUSSION: General Villegas shows a mortality profile comparable to the national average. Data obtained from this stable and representative setting may contribute to the design of regional public health strategies targeting chronic diseases and preventable external causes.