In 2021, among the 2.1 million premature deaths in OECD countries, 22 percent were due to infectious diseases (including COVID-19), while cancer accounted for another 21 percent of all preventable deaths. The OECD defines preventable mortality as causes of death among people aged under 75 years that can be mainly avoided through effective public health and primary prevention interventions (i.e. before the onset of disease/injury, to reduce incidence). Treatable (or amenable) mortality is defined as causes of death that can be mainly avoided through timely and effective health care interventions including secondary prevention and treatment (i.e. after the onset of disease, to reduce case fatality). Different cancers fall under different categories, for example, lung cancer is classified as preventable, whereas breast and colorectal cancers are classified as treatable.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ can support your business.
OECD. (November 7, 2023). Distribution of premature deaths from select causes of preventable mortality across OECD countries in 2021 [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 25, 2026, from /statistics/1286494/main-causes-of-preventable-mortality-across-oecd-countries/
OECD. "Distribution of premature deaths from select causes of preventable mortality across OECD countries in 2021." Chart. November 7, 2023. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 25, 2026. /statistics/1286494/main-causes-of-preventable-mortality-across-oecd-countries/
OECD. (2023). Distribution of premature deaths from select causes of preventable mortality across OECD countries in 2021. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 25, 2026. /statistics/1286494/main-causes-of-preventable-mortality-across-oecd-countries/
OECD. "Distribution of Premature Deaths from Select Causes of Preventable Mortality across Oecd Countries in 2021." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 7 Nov 2023, /statistics/1286494/main-causes-of-preventable-mortality-across-oecd-countries/
OECD, Distribution of premature deaths from select causes of preventable mortality across OECD countries in 2021 ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1286494/main-causes-of-preventable-mortality-across-oecd-countries/ (last visited July 25, 2026)
Distribution of premature deaths from select causes of preventable mortality across OECD countries in 2021 [Graph], OECD, November 7, 2023. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1286494/main-causes-of-preventable-mortality-across-oecd-countries/
