Evaluation of the causes of adolescent mortality between the years 2009 and 2016 in Turkey

Objective: Adolescent health problems are neglected and often preventable. The aim of this study was to assess the causes of death in the adolescent age group, between the years 2009 and 2016. Methods: Data required for assessing causes of adolescent deaths for 2009-2016 in Turkey were obtained through an officially written application to the Turkish Statistical Institute. Age-specific mortality rates, cause-age-specific mortality rates and proportion of death causes in all deaths have been used for this purpose. Results: In the adolescent age group, the age-specific mortality rate rose from 22 (per 100,000) in 2009 to 29.2 (per 100,000) in 2016. In 2016, the leading cause of death in the adolescent age group was '' external causes of injury and deaths from poisoning'' (43% of all deaths). Death rates due to transport accidents (largest share of deaths in external causes of injury, and deaths from poisoning groups) increased from 3.0 (per 100,000) in 2009 to 5.1(per 100,000) in 2016. Conclusion: It is important to regularly evaluate the changes that occur in the causes of death over time. Such assessment has the potential to influence the preventive measures. In this regard, it is suggested that more detailed data analysis via scientific studies should be conducted