In this brief paper, O’Flaherty et al. examine mortality data between 1984 and 2004 in British men and women at least 35 years of age. They found that in older adults, mortality rates decreased quite steadily during the period studied, a decrease that the authors believe is likely due to improved coronary heart disease (CHD) management. However, in men and women under 55 years of age, the previously reported fall in age-specific mortality seemed to plateau. Because it is unlikely that the quality of CHD management decreased during the period under study, the authors suggest that this phenomenon is likely caused by the obesity epidemic and associated changes in cardiovascular disease biomarkers. The paper is accompanied by an editorial by Michael Chester challenging the authors to address the funding issue and noting that resources currently used in some revascularization strategies should be redirected to preventive approaches in order to attempt to prevent premature death, especially in young (and socially disadvantaged) adults.
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